Matt Gulbin Selected by Washington in Sixth Round of NFL Draft

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State center Matt Gulbin was selected by the Washington Commanders in the sixth round (No. 209 overall) of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

Since the common NFL Draft era began in 1967, MSU has had a player selected in 59 of the 60 drafts. In addition, the Spartans have had at least one player selected in 85 of the last 86 NFL Drafts, dating back to 1941. In the total 91 NFL Drafts that began annually in 1936, the Spartans have had at least one player drafted 88 times.

Gulbin, who transferred to Michigan State in January 2025 after playing four seasons at Wake Forest, was voted a co-captain for the 2025 Spartans and started in the first 11 games of the season at center before missing the regular-season finale due to an injury. He was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the nation's top center and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by the media.

A native of Wilton, Connecticut, Gulbin was graded the No. 1 Power 4 center (82.6) by Pro Football Focus and No. 2 overall in the FBS, and his run-blocking grade of 81.9 was also No. 2 in the FBS. Following the 2025 season, he was invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Gulbin played in 52 career games over the course of five seasons of college football (41 at Wake Forest, 11 at MSU), including 34 starting assignments (11 at left guard, 11 at right guard, one at center at WF; 11 at center at MSU). He graduated from Wake Forest with a bachelor's degree in communication in December 2024.

The Spartans have had an offensive lineman selected in three straight NFL Drafts and four of the past five years (2022: OT AJ Arcuri, Rams, seventh round; 2024: C Nick Samac, Ravens, seventh round; 2025: OG Luke Newman, Bears, sixth round).

Anchoring the line in the nation's capital!@GulbinMatt x @Commanders pic.twitter.com/YiMzHWDfPU
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 25, 2026