Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Luke Newman Selected by Chicago Bears in Sixth Round of NFL Draft
4/26/2025 4:43:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State offensive lineman Luke Newman became the first Spartan in the Jonathan Smith era to get selected in the NFL Draft as the Chicago Bears picked Newman in the sixth round (No. 195 overall) on Saturday.
A native of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Newman played in 52 collegiate games over the course of five seasons, including 40 at Holy Cross from 2020-23 and all 12 at MSU in 2024. He started 37 consecutive games at left tackle for the Crusaders, then started all 12 games at left guard for the Spartans this past season while leading the team with 739 offensive snaps. He was graded the No. 9 offensive guard in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus during the regular season and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades by both the coaches and media.
Newman was at his home in Metro Detroit with friends and family watching the NFL Draft when he got the call from the Bears.
"It's a very unique and special moment…I'm almost at a loss for words for a moment quite like this," said Newman. "I've seen it happen before, I've been to a draft party for a friend of mine last year and seen him go through it, but to actually experience it and just be blessed to have an opportunity in a franchise that believes in your abilities and is willing to have you grow and develop as a person and a player in their building, that's special. A lot of those people in that office have invested a lot in me just to hear my name called, and I can't wait to deliver it back to them and give them all I have."
During his time at Holy Cross, Newman was a two-time FCS All-American (2023: Associated Press, AFCA and Stats Perform Second Team; 2022: Associated Press and Stats Perform First Team) and a three-time All-Patriot League First Team honoree. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Holy Cross in 2024.
"Holy Cross was home for me – that's a place that gave me my first shot and let me get my foot in the door in college football and let me grow and succeed as a player and a person," said Newman.
"Leaving was hard; I wanted a chance to showcase more of my abilities at different positions, and also take a step up and play against some of the best in the country.
"(It was) something about Michigan State, it just felt like literal home for me. It being an hour away, which was awesome. Just the coaches in that building – that felt like family, and that's rare I think to experience in college, especially if it's at a high level. I couldn't look any further than going away from those guys; those guys took a chance on me. Again, like Holy Cross, let me develop and grow as a person, and did so in such a small amount of time. I'm forever grateful for the opportunity they gave me. Needless to say, with the help of Holy Cross and Michigan State, I'm here where I am today."
Following his fifth and final collegiate season in 2024, Newman earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl in January and saw his NFL Draft stock improve with a strong showing at the annual event in front of NFL personnel. Newman also was impressive at MSU's Pro Day in March, displaying his overall athleticism with a vertical jump of 35 inches along with 29 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, both of which would have been top-five performances for offensive linemen at the NFL Combine; he also had a broad jump of 9'2".
"I feel like Michigan State did a very good job preparing me for that level," said Newman at Pro Day. "I've gotten able to learn a lot (throughout this draft process), I've gotten to showcase who I am as a person, and not just a player. It's really been challenging but very rewarding."
Since the common NFL Draft era began in 1967, MSU has had a player selected in 58 of the 59 drafts. In addition, the Spartans have had at least one player selected in 84 of the last 85 NFL Drafts, dating back to 1941. In the total 90 NFL Drafts that began annually in 1936, the Spartans have had at least one player drafted 87 times.
A native of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Newman played in 52 collegiate games over the course of five seasons, including 40 at Holy Cross from 2020-23 and all 12 at MSU in 2024. He started 37 consecutive games at left tackle for the Crusaders, then started all 12 games at left guard for the Spartans this past season while leading the team with 739 offensive snaps. He was graded the No. 9 offensive guard in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus during the regular season and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades by both the coaches and media.
Newman was at his home in Metro Detroit with friends and family watching the NFL Draft when he got the call from the Bears.
"It's a very unique and special moment…I'm almost at a loss for words for a moment quite like this," said Newman. "I've seen it happen before, I've been to a draft party for a friend of mine last year and seen him go through it, but to actually experience it and just be blessed to have an opportunity in a franchise that believes in your abilities and is willing to have you grow and develop as a person and a player in their building, that's special. A lot of those people in that office have invested a lot in me just to hear my name called, and I can't wait to deliver it back to them and give them all I have."
the call of a lifetime ☎️ pic.twitter.com/uPvXEXzkTg
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 26, 2025
During his time at Holy Cross, Newman was a two-time FCS All-American (2023: Associated Press, AFCA and Stats Perform Second Team; 2022: Associated Press and Stats Perform First Team) and a three-time All-Patriot League First Team honoree. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Holy Cross in 2024.
"Holy Cross was home for me – that's a place that gave me my first shot and let me get my foot in the door in college football and let me grow and succeed as a player and a person," said Newman.
"Leaving was hard; I wanted a chance to showcase more of my abilities at different positions, and also take a step up and play against some of the best in the country.
"(It was) something about Michigan State, it just felt like literal home for me. It being an hour away, which was awesome. Just the coaches in that building – that felt like family, and that's rare I think to experience in college, especially if it's at a high level. I couldn't look any further than going away from those guys; those guys took a chance on me. Again, like Holy Cross, let me develop and grow as a person, and did so in such a small amount of time. I'm forever grateful for the opportunity they gave me. Needless to say, with the help of Holy Cross and Michigan State, I'm here where I am today."
Chicago, you got a DAWG 😤 pic.twitter.com/bHURTfIqCs
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 26, 2025
Following his fifth and final collegiate season in 2024, Newman earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl in January and saw his NFL Draft stock improve with a strong showing at the annual event in front of NFL personnel. Newman also was impressive at MSU's Pro Day in March, displaying his overall athleticism with a vertical jump of 35 inches along with 29 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, both of which would have been top-five performances for offensive linemen at the NFL Combine; he also had a broad jump of 9'2".
"I feel like Michigan State did a very good job preparing me for that level," said Newman at Pro Day. "I've gotten able to learn a lot (throughout this draft process), I've gotten to showcase who I am as a person, and not just a player. It's really been challenging but very rewarding."
New man in town
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 26, 2025
Welcome to Chicago, @Luke32Newman! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/mGzTYKDieG
Since the common NFL Draft era began in 1967, MSU has had a player selected in 58 of the 59 drafts. In addition, the Spartans have had at least one player selected in 84 of the last 85 NFL Drafts, dating back to 1941. In the total 90 NFL Drafts that began annually in 1936, the Spartans have had at least one player drafted 87 times.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballJonathan Smith Postgame Comments | Maryland
Saturday, November 29
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Nov. 24 2025
Monday, November 24
Jonathan Smith Postgame Comments | Iowa
Saturday, November 22
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Nov. 17 2025
Monday, November 17