EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State football program welcomed NFL scouts and personnel to the Duffy Daugherty Football Building on Wednesday as the Spartans hosted their annual Pro Day.
Ten players from the 2023 team participated in Pro Day: linebacker Aaron Brule, offensive lineman J.D. Duplain, tight end Jaylan Franklin, running back Harold Joiner III, cornerback Chester Kimbrough, wide receiver Tre Mosley, center Nick Samac, defensive tackle Jalen Sami, linebacker Jacoby Windmon and defensive end Brandon Wright. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi, who lettered for the Spartans from 2018-20 before finishing his career at Northern Illinois, also participated in the event, throwing in the position drills to the wide receivers.
Duplain, a five-year letterwinner who started in 47 career games at left guard, including 42 in a row, had a chance to show his versatility to NFL scouts after an incredibly durable collegiate career. The 47 starts are the second most by a Spartan offensive lineman in school history.
The Strongsville, Ohio, native led all Spartans with 30 reps on the bench press, which would have tied for fourth at this year's NFL Combine among offensive linemen. He also had a vertical leap of 30 inches.
"Having a lot of experience – starting five years and playing over 3,000 snaps," said Duplain on what the scouts like most about him. "The coaches were happy that I was able to get some center reps in the last game (vs. Penn State) to show my versatility. Hearing how they like my film, being athletic, they like my toughness and the snaps I played.
"I know I have to be able to play all three at a very high level – I have to be able to play left (guard), right (guard) or center, especially at the next level. You have to be ready to play wherever they plug you in.
"I played in a lot of games and played against a lot of good players. I enjoyed my college career and hopefully it can put me in a position to keep on going."
Samac, who was invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis but didn't participate in any testing or drills, also sat out during the testing portion of MSU's Pro Day as he continues to recover from an injury he suffered on Nov. 18 at Indiana. But the five-year letterwinner was excited to be back in East Lansing on Wednesday.
"It was a big day coming back," said Samac. "I was able to do some interviews and see a lot of scouts I was able to meet at the Shrine Bowl and the combine. It was a great opportunity to support my guys that are training and doing the things they have to do. It was a great experience." Tre Mosley catches a pass during position drills at MSU's Pro Day.
Mosley, who unfortunately missed the last four games of his college career last fall due to an injury, was back and healthy on Pro Day, catching passes from his former quarterback Rocky Lombardi. Mosley finished his career ranked among the leaders in the school record book for receptions (tied for 17th with 126), touchdown receptions (tied for No. 25 with 10) and receiving yards (No. 28 with 1,464).
"This is something I was focused on and had circled on my calendar since the ending of the season," said Mosley. "There are people that do know, but there's still people who are still questioning my health. Just being able to go out there and answer all the questions and check all the boxes…This was our combine for the guys who are definitely capable of going to the combine and performing well."
In addition to Duplain's 30 reps on the bench press, linebacker Aaron Brule and defensive tackle Jalen Sami tied for second with 23 reps of 225 pounds.
Brule played in 64 collegiate games over the course of six seasons (2018-23), including the last two at Michigan State after transferring from Mississippi State. The productive linebacker recorded 235 tackles, 32.5 TFLs and 16.5 sacks during his career.
"A lot of teams expect me to be that blitz or off-the-ball backer, covering where I can, and I just want to showcase my talents at that," said Brule.
Harold Joiner III had an impressive day, topping all participants in the broad jump (11'1") and vertical jump (40.5 inches), marks that would have tied for No. 7 and No. 10 among all players at the NFL Combine.
"I was going in as an athlete and I was really looking forward to any questions that any scouts had for me for any position," said Joiner, who played in 51 collegiate games as a running back but also excelled in special teams in addition to practicing with the defense in the spring and preseason camp last year. "I actually went in today as a tight end, that's what the (scout) wanted me to go in as, as a tight end. Then, he asked me if I was able to play linebacker and I was like, 'of course, whatever you want. I've played it before.' But today, I just wanted to display everything I already do."
Another Spartan looking to show the scouts he was healthy was linebacker Jacoby Windmon, who missed the last nine games of the 2023 season with an injury. Windmon played both defensive end and linebacker for the Spartans during his two seasons in East Lansing.
"(The scouts) put me at outside linebacker, which is kind of a combination of both (linebacker and defensive end)," said Windmon. "I'm able to show my versatility – I'm able to rush the passer, and I'm able to drop in coverage when I need to be and it kind of helps with timing.
"I expect to be having a great opportunity to go out there and do what I do best. You only have one team. I was blessed and am thankful for my family, thank God, all praise and honor goes to Him for putting me in this position, but I feel like I put myself in a pretty good spot with the results I have from today."
The 2024 NFL Draft is set for April 25-27 in Detroit. PRO DAY QUOTES
On what scouts like the most about him…
Having a lot of experience. Started five years and played over 3,000 snaps. The coaches were happy that I was able to get some center reps in the last game to show my versatility. Hearing how they like my film, being athletic, they like my toughness and the snaps I played. A lot of good things.
On preference to play either guard or center…
Not at all. I know I have to be able to play all three at a very high level. I have to be able to play left (guard), right (guard) or center, especially at the next level. You have to be ready to play wherever they plug you in.
On how playing over 3,000 snaps helped prepare him…
That's a strength I have in my game. I've seen just about every defense you throw at me. I think that separates me from other players. My knowledge of the game, how well I know the playbook, having the athleticism to back it up and having a plan each week. I played in a lot of games and played against a lot of good players. I enjoyed my college career and hopefully it can put me in a position to keep on going.
On what are some things he got to clean up…
Just showing my ability to play all three interior positions. I wasn't able to show it as much during the season, our center [Nick Samac] next to me was a really good player. I got to be able to play all three positions, teams only dress a certain amount of players. So just showing that I am comfortable enough to play center, right and left guard.
On feedback he's been getting from scouts…
I been having some good conversations. Some teams hitting me up and having interviews. I'm just happy to be in this position and see what comes after today. Hopefully I raised some eyes and teams are interested and want to talk to me some more. I'm excited to see where this process goes.
On how tough it was having his season cut short…
It was very tough. Once we got to Minnesota, I reinjured myself and the staff thought it would be best for me to get ready for the next stage of my life. If I would've kept playing, I could've furthermore injured myself. As much as I didn't want to, it was the best choice moving forward.
On where he is health wise…
Oh, I'm 100 percent healthy. When I stopped playing when I did, helped me heal all the way before I started training.
On how the day went and was it a big deal to show everyone he is healthy…
Absolutely. This is something I was focused on and had circled on my calendar since the ending of the season. There are people that do know, but there's still people who are still questioning my health. Just being able to go out there and answer all the questions and check all the boxes.
On does he expect to be drafted…
If I'm blessed with the opportunity. If not, I'm still going to come to work until the opportunity presents itself.
On his assessment only having one player at the combine…
Like you said, the fact we only had one player invited to the combine just goes because of the season we had. When you don't win games, you typically have less players at the combine. This was our combine for the guys who are definitely capable of going to the combine and performing well. I think we all did the best we could've did.
On does he think its fair or unfair that they get destigmatized because of their record…
That's how life works though outside of football. There's going to be times where you get the short end of the stick. Then there's times you get the benefit of the doubt as well. You can't be mad or upset at things you can't control. When the opportunity presents itself, you got to grab it.
On what it was like getting Rocky Lombardi back…
I'm the one who reached out to Rocky. We have lost a lot of our guys from the previous year to the portal. I was going through my contact list of guys who played here or will be interested to come and throw for us. Rocky and I have had a great relationship since I got here. We still stay in touch; it was a no brainer.
On his thoughts of Courtney Hawkins being retained…
I love that. Along with coach Hawkins and other members of the staff, its good to keep some pieces that the team loves. It's nice to have someone who can smooth things over when you roll over the new staff. It makes guys on the team feel more comfortable. He's a great guy on and off the field. He's like a dad or uncle the way he looks after us. He really wants us to succeed in the classroom, there was meetings that he will push the X's and O's to the side and talk about grades.
On what is he most proud of going through different coaches throughout the years…
Being able to stick it with one school through five years. The fact I was able to stay with one school during my time is my biggest flex.
On how big of a day this was for him…
It was a big day coming back. I was able to do some interviews and see a lot of scouts I was able to meet at the Shrine Bowl and the combine. It was a great opportunity to support my guys that are training and doing the things they have to do. It was a great experience.
On what he heard from scouts and where he might end up…
Just taking it one day at a time. You never know at the end of the day. I'm trying to make a great impression on everyone I meet and make connections. Whatever team that decides to have me on their squad, will make a great decision. Just taking it one day at a time.
On is it tough being limited on what he can work on…
Absolutely. But I'm very thankful for the adversity I have dealt with. Going through this process, I've seen how much stress comes with it, time and effort you have to put into it, whether it's interviews or just rehabbing and training. It's different. I wish I could show what I can do, I think I'm an athletic guy and have a lot I can bring to the table. I think my film speaks for itself, five years of film, 32 starts and over 40 games played. I didn't leave anything out there. I'm appreciative of the opportunity I had at Michigan State; Coach Dantonio and that staff taking a chance on me and I'll be forever grateful. I'm excited for the opportunity moving forward.
On when he'll be fully healthy…
I'm taking it one day at a time. Hopefully by the end of the month I'll be back to how I was before. Taking it one day at a time every day.
On how much Michigan State prepared him for the next steps…
They have done countless things with us, whether it's financial meetings or anything that is not just football. I have great connections with everybody here and great friendships that I have built for a lifetime. So I'm very prepared for life ahead of me along with my football career.
On what it's been like going through three head coaches…
It's a change. It's adversity. But a lot of schools go through it and we had to deal with but we we're able to bounce back. We didn't finish how we wanted to but that's all part of the game.
On does he know Jonathan Smith well…
Absolutely. I was able to meet him a few times, I just met with him today. I know he's done great things at Oregon State and turned that program around. He's a great coach.
On how it felt to be the only player invited to the combine…
At the end of the day, it was a blessing to be there. It's not easy to get one of those invites, so it was a blessing. As far as everybody else and where they're going, everybody has a different path, everybody is drafted at a different spot. It could be free agency, early rounds or late rounds, everybody has a different path. All the guys that competed here today are hard workers and I played with them for a large part of my career. Everybody showcased what they can do here today; I'm excited that they had this opportunity. I know everybody here is capable of having a great career in the NFL.
On if players got overlooked due to the situation during the season…
Absolutely. Those are my dogs. Those are my guys; I know how hard they worked and I know they're all deserving to be in a spot like this. Like I said, everybody's path is different. No one is down about it, you take your path, you take it how it comes and you attack it. They're all doing a great job.
On did teams asked about having three different head coaches and how he grown…
We get a full background check, so they know about everything from the time I was about seven years old to now. They don't miss anything. I was able to tell how the adversity made us stronger and it grew us better as a team. The best teams are player led teams. Absolutely it gets brought up and the adversity makes us stronger.
On where did he see the most growth in himself from last season…
I think this year I realty came into the player I needed to be. Just having the opportunity to be an older guy as a fifth year and be the leader. I got to be the leader and set the example. Keeping guys bought in, keeping working hard and loving what you do. That's how you stay in this business, it's not about the money, its not about the fame, it's about loving what you do.
On how tough it was to miss his last collegiate game…
I was trying to make it to the Penn State game and being a captain, I was trying to walk out there. I didn't have my surgery at that point yet. I was in a good amount of pain, I wanted to make that trip for my guys, but it would've been too much for me at the time. It was bummer, I wanted to be there for them but God has a plan for me.
On where teams see him fit…
They see me at outside linebacker, which is kind of a combination of both (linebacker and defensive end). I'm able to show my versatility. I'm able to rush the passer. I'm able to drop in coverage when I need to be and it kind of helps with timing.
On what it was like to sit with injury and his decision to declare for the draft…
It was pretty good – I don't mean to be down but when I say pretty good, it showed me how learn other faces of the game. It's not all about the physicality on the field, it's more about being there for your teammates, it's more so keeping your composure when things aren't going your way. It's more so being that same guy on and off the field because if you're a leader, you're a leader no matter what position you're in so I had to find a way to add value to my teammates.
On how he thought he did today…
I expect to be having a great opportunity to go out there and do what I do best. You only have one team. I was blessed and am thankful for my family, thank God, all praise and honor goes to him for putting me in this position, but I feel like I put myself in a pretty good spot with the results I have from today.
