Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Rey Del Rio/MSU Athletic Communications
Several Spartans Sign as Undrafted NFL Free Agents, Earn Invites to NFL Rookie Minicamps
4/27/2026 11:11:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, several Spartans from the 2025 team signed as undrafted free agents and also earned invites to rookie minicamps.
Defensive lineman Quindarius Dunnigan (Jacksonville Jaguars), wide receiver Omari Kelly (Chicago Bears), safety Malik Spencer (Washington Commanders), running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver (Baltimore Ravens) and tight end Jack Velling (Atlanta Falcons) signed as undrafted free agents, while cornerback Joshua Eaton (Seattle Seahawks) and linebacker Wayne Matthews III (Chicago Bears) earned invites to upcoming rookie minicamps.
MSU had two players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft: center Matt Gulbin (sixth round, No. 209 overall, Washington Commanders) and punter Ryan Eckley (sixth round, No. 211 overall, Baltimore Ravens).
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. Michigan State has had 325 all-time NFL Draft picks, which ranks 17th most in the FBS.
DL Quindarius Dunnigan – 6-4 – 257 – Chattanooga, Tenn. (McCallie School/Middle Tennessee State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Played in 56 games over the course of his college career (33 at Middle Tennessee State from 2019-23; 23 at Michigan State from 2024-25) . . . spent five seasons at Middle Tennessee State (2019-23), but did not play during the 2021 season due to an injury . . . transferred to Michigan State in January 2024 and played two seasons at MSU (2024-25) . . . recorded 110 tackles, including 26.0 tackles for loss (89 yards) and 9.0 sacks (46 yards) in his collegiate career . . . also had nine pass break-ups and two forced fumbles . . . had 68 tackles, 17 TFLs (57 yards) and 5.5 sacks (33 yards) in 33 games for the Blue Raiders, including 13 starts. . . posted 42 tackles, 9.0 TFLs (32 yards) and 3.5 sacks (13 yards) in 23 games, with one start, for the Spartans . . . played over 1,500 snaps on defense (1,529) in his career (978 at MTSU; 551 at MSU) . . . graduated from MTSU with a bachelor's degree in allied health technology.
2025 SEASON (SEVENTH-YEAR SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Voted a team captain by his teammates . . . played in all 12 games, including a start in the season opener vs. Western Michigan . . . recorded 25 tackles . . . tied for team lead with 2.5 sacks (9 yards) and ranked second on the team with 5.0 TFLs (19 yards) . . . played 306 snaps on defense . . . credited with three tackles, including a 5-yard sack, along with three QB hurries in his final collegiate game against Maryland at Ford Field (11/29) . . . logged season and MSU career-high five stops along with registering first forced fumble of season and second of career in game at Iowa (11/22), forcing a fumble by Iowa QB Mark Gronowski in the third quarter that was recovered by teammate Jordan Hall, setting up MSU's first TD of the game . . . also sacked Gronowski in the second quarter for first full sack of the season . . . then added another tackle for loss to finish with a season-high 2.0 TFL as part of five total tackles, adding a QB hurry, while charting 31 defensive snaps against the Hawkeyes, which ranked third among defensive linemen and ranked 10th overall on the defense . . . made first start of Spartan career in starting season opener vs. Western Michigan (8/29) at defensive end and logged 27 plays, posting a pair of stops, including 0.5 tackles for loss, adding two QB hurries.
CB Joshua Eaton – 6-1 – 189 – Houston, Texas (Aldine MacArthur High School/Oklahoma/Texas State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Played in 55 games over the course of his six-year collegiate career . . . enrolled at Michigan State in January 2025 after transferring from Texas State and played for the Spartans in his sixth and final season in 2025 . . . played in 19 games at Oklahoma from 2020-22, 25 games at Texas State from 2023-24, and 12 games at MSU in 2025 . . . had 28 starts at cornerback (20 at Texas State; eight at MSU) . . . played 1,725 snaps on defense throughout his career (142 at Oklahoma; 1,165 at Texas State; 418 at MSU) . . . collected 75 career tackles (seven at Oklahoma, 49 at Texas State, 19 at Michigan State) and 15 career pass break-ups (13 at Texas State, two at MSU) . . . earned his bachelor's degree in theater at Texas State in December 2024.
2025 SEASON (GRADUATE SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Played in all 12 games, making eight starts . . . tallied 19 stops and two pass break-ups in logging 418 snaps on defense.
WR Omari Kelly – 6-0 – 188 – Trussville, Ala. (Hewitt-Trussville High School/Auburn/Middle Tennessee State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Snared 105 career catches and had 1,596 receiving yards in 42 collegiate games (19 at Auburn from 2022-23; 11 at Middle Tennessee State in 2024; 12 at Michigan State in 2025), making 19 starts (nine at MTSU in 2024; 12 at MSU in 2025) . . . added 233 punt return yards and 33 rushing yards for 1,862 career all-purpose yards (44.3 ypg) . . . surpassed the 1,000-yard career mark in Spartan debut in 2025 season opener vs. Western Michigan (8/29/25), and also had first career rushing attempt of career in same game . . . scored six career receiving TDs (four at MTSU; two at MSU) and seven overall TDs (four receiving, one kick return at MTSU; one receiving at MSU), along with one 2-point conversion catch . . . had five career 100-yard outings, with four in 2024 at Middle Tennessee State and one at MSU.
2025 SEASON (SENIOR at MICHIGAN STATE): Honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the media . . . started all 12 games . . . ranked second on the team in catches (47) and receiving yards (626) . . . ranked 15th in B1G during the regular season in receiving yards/game (52.2), receptions (47) and receiving yards (626), while ranking 16th in receptions/game (3.9), along with 23rd in yards/catch (13.3) . . . also ranked sixth in the league and tied for 36th in the nation in punt return yards (150), along with 11th in conference and tied for 58th the country in total punt returns (12) . . . ranked 30th in the league during the regular season in all-purpose yards/game (67.4), ranking 30th in the conference in all-purpose total yards (809), as well as 12th in the B1G and tied for 52nd in the FBS in all purpose yards/play (12.4) . . . had two TD receptions, the first coming on a 75-yard scoring strike at USC on Sept. 20 for MSU's longest pass play as well as its longest offensive play of the season at the time, and the second coming in season finale vs. Maryland at Ford Field on Nov. 29 in his final collegiate game, on a 10-yard pass to seal the Victory for MSU over UMD . . . had 12 punt returns for 150 yards and six rushes for 33 yards, for total of a team-leading 809 all-purpose yards (67.4 ypg), leading MSU in both categories . . . had at least one catch in all 12 games, including multiple receptions in 10 of the 12 games, including five or more catches in five games, while posting 50 or more yards in six games . . . of the 47 catches, 28 (.596) went for first downs or touchdowns, plus one rush and one pass, for 30-of-49 (.612) offensive touches going for first downs, adding one game-winning two-point conversion vs. Boston College, that doesn't register as an official catch or offensive touch . . . snared four or more receptions in each of first four games as a Spartan after six catches at USC, plus four each in Youngstown State and Boston College games, and seven vs. Western Michigan in the season opener . . . had five receptions for 76 yards against Maryland in the regular-season finale at Ford Field, including a 10-yard TD catch on fourth down late in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for MSU.
LB Wayne Matthews III – 6-2 – 230 – Largo, Md. (Charles Herbert Flowers High School/Old Dominion)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Two-year Spartan letterwinner played in 47 collegiate games (26 at Old Dominion from 2021-23; 21 at MSU in 2024-25) . . . transferred to Michigan State in January 2024 after spending three years at Old Dominion (2021-23) . . . recorded 254 career tackles, including 14.0 TFLs (77 yards) and 3.5 sacks (32 yards) . . . also had one interception to go with four pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries . . . had 148 tackles in 26 games, including 13 starts, at ODU; had 106 tackles in 21 games, with 12 starts, at MSU, including 4.5 tackles for loss (14 yards), one interception and one fumble recovery . . . had nine career games with double-digit tackles after eight in 2023 while at Old Dominion and one at MSU in 2025 . . . ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference and 11th in the FBS with 135 tackles (10.4 avg.), during the 2023 season and was a third-team All-SBC selection.
2025 SEASON (REDSHIRT SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Honorable mention All-Big Ten choice by the media . . . ranked second on the team with 73 tackles . . . started all 12 games at linebacker . . . tied for second on the team with 4.5 tackles for loss (14 yards) . . . also had one interception and one pass break-up . . . registered 699 snaps, which topped the linebacker corps and ranked second overall on defense, out of the 781 total defensive snaps . . . Academic All-Big Ten selection . . . had six tackles in his final collegiate game against Maryland at Ford Field while playing all 78 defensive snaps (11/29) . . . started game at Iowa (11/22) and led the Spartan defense with nine tackles, his second-most of the season behind season-best 10 stops vs. Youngstown State (9/13/25), including 1.0 tackle for loss (8 yards), in charting 60 of the 61 defensive snaps.
S Malik Spencer – 6-1 – 191 – Buford, Ga. (Buford High School)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Four-year letterwinner played in 38 games with 29 starts at safety for the Spartans from 2022-25 . . . recorded 173 career tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss (26 yards), 2.0 sacks (21 yards), 13 pass break-ups and two interceptions . . . three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
2025 SEASON (SENIOR): Started all 12 games at safety . . . registered 52 tackles with 3.0 tackles for loss (22 yards) and 2.0 sacks (21 yards) . . . had one interception to go with five pass break-ups . . . played 674 snaps, third-most on the Spartan defense . . . Academic All-Big Ten selection . . . started against Maryland in the regular-season finale in his final collegiate game and collected seven tackles and a pass break-up while playing 70 snaps . . . was starting safety in game at Iowa, tallying three tackles and snaring first interception of season, snagging the pick on Iowa's first play of series in first quarter, setting up MSU's opening TD, and posted 54 defensive snaps . . . drew start in Penn State game on Senior Day and notched five tackles in charting 58 defensive snaps in final game at Spartan Stadium.
RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver – 6-1 – 211 – Sparks, Nev. (Reed High School/Sacramento State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Transfer running back from Sacramento State lettered one season at Michigan State in 2025 . . . played in 53 career games (41 at Sacramento State from 2021-24; 12 at MSU in 2025) . . . had 17 career starts (14 at Sacramento State, three at MSU) . . . rushed for 1,966 career yards with 16 TDs on 347 carries . . . accumulated 3,632 all-purpose yards in his career (1,966 rushing, 1,132 kick return, 528 receiving, 6 punt return) . . . had 66 catches for 528 yards and two TDs . . . averaged 23.6 yards on kick returns (48 returns for 1,132 yards with one TD) . . . had eight career 100-yard rushing games (seven at Sacramento State, one at MSU) . . . ranked among Sacramento State's all-time leaders in kick returns (42 returns for 1,038 yards) . . . scored 19 total touchdowns (14 rushing, two receiving, one kick return at Sacramento State; two rushing TDs at MSU) . . . collected 22 tackles on special teams (13 solo, nine assists).
2025 SEASON (REDSHIRT SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Ranked second on the Spartans in rushing with 428 yards (5.9 avg.; 35.7 ypg) . . . ranked third on the team in carries (72) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (2) . . . ranked third on the team in all-purpose yards (646; 53.8 ypg) . . . had 18 catches for 139 yards . . . returned six kickoffs for 79 yards (13.2 avg.) . . . played in all 12 games with three consecutive starts to close out the season . . . played a total of 230 snaps on offense and 74 on special teams . . . led all players with a season-high 159 all-purpose yards (95 rushing, 54 kick return, 10 receiving) in his final collegiate game, a Spartan victory over Maryland at Ford Field (11/29) . . . finished with a game-high 13 carries for 95 yards against the Terrapins; also had a season-best three kick returns for 54 yards and two receptions for 10 yards . . . drew second straight start by opening game at Iowa (11/22) in offensive backfield and rushed 16 times for 35 yards, adding one catch for 8 yards and one kick return . . . scored on a 57-yard TD run on MSU's first offensive play in Penn State game (11/15) for MSU's first time scoring a TD on the first play from scrimmage since Sept. 11, 2021 . . . finished Penn State game with six carries for 79 yards, including career-long 32-yard reception and doubled season receiving output with eight catches for 73 yards in PSU contest after entering the game with just seven catches for 48 yards . . . the eight catches were more than his season totals of three and seven in 2022 and 2023, respectively, during his time at Sacramento State . . . the eight catches were also a season high and the second-highest reception total of his career (11) . . . had breakout game in contest at Minnesota (11/1), registering a season-high 127 yards rushing, highlighted by an 85-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, on 11 carries . . . the 85-yard run tied the ninth-longest rushing play on MSU's single-game longest plays list, tying Sherman Lewis' 85-yard scamper vs. Notre Dame in 1963 . . . the 85-yard run is the longest non-TD play in school history, as the other nine longest plays went for scores . . . along with tying the ninth-longest rushing play in MSU history, the 85-yard run was the longest by a Spartan since Kenneth Walker III's school-record 94-yard rush for a TD vs. Rutgers in 2021 . . . the 85-yard run was a career-long rush, bettering his collegiate career longest rush of 70 yards vs. Weber State (10/19/24) and overall, it was eighth career 100-yard outing of his collegiate career, as he had seven during his time at Sacramento State (2021-24) . . . the 127 yards marked the third-highest rushing total of his career, behind 141 yards vs. Weber State (10/19/24) and 127 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (9/21/24) . . . scored his first TD as a Spartan with a 22-yard scamper in the fourth quarter of the Youngstown State game, part of four carries for 37 yards (9/13) . . . made Spartan debut in season opener vs. Western Michigan (8/29), notching eight carries for 17 yards.
TE Jack Velling – 6-5 – 245 – Seattle, Wash. (Seattle Prep School/Oregon State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Tight end lettered two seasons at Michigan State (2024-25) and after playing two seasons at Oregon State (2022-23) . . . played in 47 collegiate games (23 at Oregon State, 24 at Michigan State) . . . started 38 career games (18 at Oregon State, 20 at Michigan State) . . . finished his career with 117 receptions for 1,489 yards and 14 touchdowns . . . had 72 catches for 770 yards and three TDs in his Spartan career . . . had 45 receptions for 719 yards and 11 TDs during his time at Oregon State.
2025 SEASON (SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Third-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and honorable mention choice by the coaches . . . hauled in 36 passes, tying a career high, for 359 yards . . . tied for second on the team with three TD catches . . . Academic All-Big Ten selection . . . played in all 12 games, including 10 starts . . . played a total of 611 offensive snaps, fifth-most on the team . . . 19-of-36 receptions (.528) went for first downs or TDs . . . had five receptions for 68 yards, including 9-yard TD grab, in his final collegiate game against Maryland at Ford Field . . . had a career game at Iowa with eight catches for 88 yards; five of the eight receptions went for first downs . . . had five catches for 62 yards alone in the first half at Iowa . . . named to the Mackey Award Watch List entering the season for the second consecutive year.
Defensive lineman Quindarius Dunnigan (Jacksonville Jaguars), wide receiver Omari Kelly (Chicago Bears), safety Malik Spencer (Washington Commanders), running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver (Baltimore Ravens) and tight end Jack Velling (Atlanta Falcons) signed as undrafted free agents, while cornerback Joshua Eaton (Seattle Seahawks) and linebacker Wayne Matthews III (Chicago Bears) earned invites to upcoming rookie minicamps.
MSU had two players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft: center Matt Gulbin (sixth round, No. 209 overall, Washington Commanders) and punter Ryan Eckley (sixth round, No. 211 overall, Baltimore Ravens).
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. Michigan State has had 325 all-time NFL Draft picks, which ranks 17th most in the FBS.
DUUUVAL GOT A GOOD ONE 🙌
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 26, 2026
Congrats @QuindariusDunn1! pic.twitter.com/eZiRl0RSw1
DL Quindarius Dunnigan – 6-4 – 257 – Chattanooga, Tenn. (McCallie School/Middle Tennessee State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Played in 56 games over the course of his college career (33 at Middle Tennessee State from 2019-23; 23 at Michigan State from 2024-25) . . . spent five seasons at Middle Tennessee State (2019-23), but did not play during the 2021 season due to an injury . . . transferred to Michigan State in January 2024 and played two seasons at MSU (2024-25) . . . recorded 110 tackles, including 26.0 tackles for loss (89 yards) and 9.0 sacks (46 yards) in his collegiate career . . . also had nine pass break-ups and two forced fumbles . . . had 68 tackles, 17 TFLs (57 yards) and 5.5 sacks (33 yards) in 33 games for the Blue Raiders, including 13 starts. . . posted 42 tackles, 9.0 TFLs (32 yards) and 3.5 sacks (13 yards) in 23 games, with one start, for the Spartans . . . played over 1,500 snaps on defense (1,529) in his career (978 at MTSU; 551 at MSU) . . . graduated from MTSU with a bachelor's degree in allied health technology.
2025 SEASON (SEVENTH-YEAR SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Voted a team captain by his teammates . . . played in all 12 games, including a start in the season opener vs. Western Michigan . . . recorded 25 tackles . . . tied for team lead with 2.5 sacks (9 yards) and ranked second on the team with 5.0 TFLs (19 yards) . . . played 306 snaps on defense . . . credited with three tackles, including a 5-yard sack, along with three QB hurries in his final collegiate game against Maryland at Ford Field (11/29) . . . logged season and MSU career-high five stops along with registering first forced fumble of season and second of career in game at Iowa (11/22), forcing a fumble by Iowa QB Mark Gronowski in the third quarter that was recovered by teammate Jordan Hall, setting up MSU's first TD of the game . . . also sacked Gronowski in the second quarter for first full sack of the season . . . then added another tackle for loss to finish with a season-high 2.0 TFL as part of five total tackles, adding a QB hurry, while charting 31 defensive snaps against the Hawkeyes, which ranked third among defensive linemen and ranked 10th overall on the defense . . . made first start of Spartan career in starting season opener vs. Western Michigan (8/29) at defensive end and logged 27 plays, posting a pair of stops, including 0.5 tackles for loss, adding two QB hurries.
Ready for his opportunity out west 😤 pic.twitter.com/kikgddNFo6
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 26, 2026
CB Joshua Eaton – 6-1 – 189 – Houston, Texas (Aldine MacArthur High School/Oklahoma/Texas State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Played in 55 games over the course of his six-year collegiate career . . . enrolled at Michigan State in January 2025 after transferring from Texas State and played for the Spartans in his sixth and final season in 2025 . . . played in 19 games at Oklahoma from 2020-22, 25 games at Texas State from 2023-24, and 12 games at MSU in 2025 . . . had 28 starts at cornerback (20 at Texas State; eight at MSU) . . . played 1,725 snaps on defense throughout his career (142 at Oklahoma; 1,165 at Texas State; 418 at MSU) . . . collected 75 career tackles (seven at Oklahoma, 49 at Texas State, 19 at Michigan State) and 15 career pass break-ups (13 at Texas State, two at MSU) . . . earned his bachelor's degree in theater at Texas State in December 2024.
2025 SEASON (GRADUATE SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Played in all 12 games, making eight starts . . . tallied 19 stops and two pass break-ups in logging 418 snaps on defense.
Taking his talents to the Windy City 🐻⬇️
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 26, 2026
Congrats Omari! pic.twitter.com/m8JL0WszXV
WR Omari Kelly – 6-0 – 188 – Trussville, Ala. (Hewitt-Trussville High School/Auburn/Middle Tennessee State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Snared 105 career catches and had 1,596 receiving yards in 42 collegiate games (19 at Auburn from 2022-23; 11 at Middle Tennessee State in 2024; 12 at Michigan State in 2025), making 19 starts (nine at MTSU in 2024; 12 at MSU in 2025) . . . added 233 punt return yards and 33 rushing yards for 1,862 career all-purpose yards (44.3 ypg) . . . surpassed the 1,000-yard career mark in Spartan debut in 2025 season opener vs. Western Michigan (8/29/25), and also had first career rushing attempt of career in same game . . . scored six career receiving TDs (four at MTSU; two at MSU) and seven overall TDs (four receiving, one kick return at MTSU; one receiving at MSU), along with one 2-point conversion catch . . . had five career 100-yard outings, with four in 2024 at Middle Tennessee State and one at MSU.
2025 SEASON (SENIOR at MICHIGAN STATE): Honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the media . . . started all 12 games . . . ranked second on the team in catches (47) and receiving yards (626) . . . ranked 15th in B1G during the regular season in receiving yards/game (52.2), receptions (47) and receiving yards (626), while ranking 16th in receptions/game (3.9), along with 23rd in yards/catch (13.3) . . . also ranked sixth in the league and tied for 36th in the nation in punt return yards (150), along with 11th in conference and tied for 58th the country in total punt returns (12) . . . ranked 30th in the league during the regular season in all-purpose yards/game (67.4), ranking 30th in the conference in all-purpose total yards (809), as well as 12th in the B1G and tied for 52nd in the FBS in all purpose yards/play (12.4) . . . had two TD receptions, the first coming on a 75-yard scoring strike at USC on Sept. 20 for MSU's longest pass play as well as its longest offensive play of the season at the time, and the second coming in season finale vs. Maryland at Ford Field on Nov. 29 in his final collegiate game, on a 10-yard pass to seal the Victory for MSU over UMD . . . had 12 punt returns for 150 yards and six rushes for 33 yards, for total of a team-leading 809 all-purpose yards (67.4 ypg), leading MSU in both categories . . . had at least one catch in all 12 games, including multiple receptions in 10 of the 12 games, including five or more catches in five games, while posting 50 or more yards in six games . . . of the 47 catches, 28 (.596) went for first downs or touchdowns, plus one rush and one pass, for 30-of-49 (.612) offensive touches going for first downs, adding one game-winning two-point conversion vs. Boston College, that doesn't register as an official catch or offensive touch . . . snared four or more receptions in each of first four games as a Spartan after six catches at USC, plus four each in Youngstown State and Boston College games, and seven vs. Western Michigan in the season opener . . . had five receptions for 76 yards against Maryland in the regular-season finale at Ford Field, including a 10-yard TD catch on fourth down late in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for MSU.
Earned this opportunity 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Nds3PWnf76
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 27, 2026
LB Wayne Matthews III – 6-2 – 230 – Largo, Md. (Charles Herbert Flowers High School/Old Dominion)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Two-year Spartan letterwinner played in 47 collegiate games (26 at Old Dominion from 2021-23; 21 at MSU in 2024-25) . . . transferred to Michigan State in January 2024 after spending three years at Old Dominion (2021-23) . . . recorded 254 career tackles, including 14.0 TFLs (77 yards) and 3.5 sacks (32 yards) . . . also had one interception to go with four pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries . . . had 148 tackles in 26 games, including 13 starts, at ODU; had 106 tackles in 21 games, with 12 starts, at MSU, including 4.5 tackles for loss (14 yards), one interception and one fumble recovery . . . had nine career games with double-digit tackles after eight in 2023 while at Old Dominion and one at MSU in 2025 . . . ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference and 11th in the FBS with 135 tackles (10.4 avg.), during the 2023 season and was a third-team All-SBC selection.
2025 SEASON (REDSHIRT SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Honorable mention All-Big Ten choice by the media . . . ranked second on the team with 73 tackles . . . started all 12 games at linebacker . . . tied for second on the team with 4.5 tackles for loss (14 yards) . . . also had one interception and one pass break-up . . . registered 699 snaps, which topped the linebacker corps and ranked second overall on defense, out of the 781 total defensive snaps . . . Academic All-Big Ten selection . . . had six tackles in his final collegiate game against Maryland at Ford Field while playing all 78 defensive snaps (11/29) . . . started game at Iowa (11/22) and led the Spartan defense with nine tackles, his second-most of the season behind season-best 10 stops vs. Youngstown State (9/13/25), including 1.0 tackle for loss (8 yards), in charting 60 of the 61 defensive snaps.
The next chapter is being written ✍️
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 26, 2026
Congrats @43kilam! pic.twitter.com/pVOQNaJ4C9
S Malik Spencer – 6-1 – 191 – Buford, Ga. (Buford High School)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Four-year letterwinner played in 38 games with 29 starts at safety for the Spartans from 2022-25 . . . recorded 173 career tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss (26 yards), 2.0 sacks (21 yards), 13 pass break-ups and two interceptions . . . three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
2025 SEASON (SENIOR): Started all 12 games at safety . . . registered 52 tackles with 3.0 tackles for loss (22 yards) and 2.0 sacks (21 yards) . . . had one interception to go with five pass break-ups . . . played 674 snaps, third-most on the Spartan defense . . . Academic All-Big Ten selection . . . started against Maryland in the regular-season finale in his final collegiate game and collected seven tackles and a pass break-up while playing 70 snaps . . . was starting safety in game at Iowa, tallying three tackles and snaring first interception of season, snagging the pick on Iowa's first play of series in first quarter, setting up MSU's opening TD, and posted 54 defensive snaps . . . drew start in Penn State game on Senior Day and notched five tackles in charting 58 defensive snaps in final game at Spartan Stadium.
Ravens Flock came calling 🐦⬛
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 26, 2026
Congrats TT! pic.twitter.com/jqJ7eW67zA
RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver – 6-1 – 211 – Sparks, Nev. (Reed High School/Sacramento State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Transfer running back from Sacramento State lettered one season at Michigan State in 2025 . . . played in 53 career games (41 at Sacramento State from 2021-24; 12 at MSU in 2025) . . . had 17 career starts (14 at Sacramento State, three at MSU) . . . rushed for 1,966 career yards with 16 TDs on 347 carries . . . accumulated 3,632 all-purpose yards in his career (1,966 rushing, 1,132 kick return, 528 receiving, 6 punt return) . . . had 66 catches for 528 yards and two TDs . . . averaged 23.6 yards on kick returns (48 returns for 1,132 yards with one TD) . . . had eight career 100-yard rushing games (seven at Sacramento State, one at MSU) . . . ranked among Sacramento State's all-time leaders in kick returns (42 returns for 1,038 yards) . . . scored 19 total touchdowns (14 rushing, two receiving, one kick return at Sacramento State; two rushing TDs at MSU) . . . collected 22 tackles on special teams (13 solo, nine assists).
2025 SEASON (REDSHIRT SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Ranked second on the Spartans in rushing with 428 yards (5.9 avg.; 35.7 ypg) . . . ranked third on the team in carries (72) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (2) . . . ranked third on the team in all-purpose yards (646; 53.8 ypg) . . . had 18 catches for 139 yards . . . returned six kickoffs for 79 yards (13.2 avg.) . . . played in all 12 games with three consecutive starts to close out the season . . . played a total of 230 snaps on offense and 74 on special teams . . . led all players with a season-high 159 all-purpose yards (95 rushing, 54 kick return, 10 receiving) in his final collegiate game, a Spartan victory over Maryland at Ford Field (11/29) . . . finished with a game-high 13 carries for 95 yards against the Terrapins; also had a season-best three kick returns for 54 yards and two receptions for 10 yards . . . drew second straight start by opening game at Iowa (11/22) in offensive backfield and rushed 16 times for 35 yards, adding one catch for 8 yards and one kick return . . . scored on a 57-yard TD run on MSU's first offensive play in Penn State game (11/15) for MSU's first time scoring a TD on the first play from scrimmage since Sept. 11, 2021 . . . finished Penn State game with six carries for 79 yards, including career-long 32-yard reception and doubled season receiving output with eight catches for 73 yards in PSU contest after entering the game with just seven catches for 48 yards . . . the eight catches were more than his season totals of three and seven in 2022 and 2023, respectively, during his time at Sacramento State . . . the eight catches were also a season high and the second-highest reception total of his career (11) . . . had breakout game in contest at Minnesota (11/1), registering a season-high 127 yards rushing, highlighted by an 85-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, on 11 carries . . . the 85-yard run tied the ninth-longest rushing play on MSU's single-game longest plays list, tying Sherman Lewis' 85-yard scamper vs. Notre Dame in 1963 . . . the 85-yard run is the longest non-TD play in school history, as the other nine longest plays went for scores . . . along with tying the ninth-longest rushing play in MSU history, the 85-yard run was the longest by a Spartan since Kenneth Walker III's school-record 94-yard rush for a TD vs. Rutgers in 2021 . . . the 85-yard run was a career-long rush, bettering his collegiate career longest rush of 70 yards vs. Weber State (10/19/24) and overall, it was eighth career 100-yard outing of his collegiate career, as he had seven during his time at Sacramento State (2021-24) . . . the 127 yards marked the third-highest rushing total of his career, behind 141 yards vs. Weber State (10/19/24) and 127 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (9/21/24) . . . scored his first TD as a Spartan with a 22-yard scamper in the fourth quarter of the Youngstown State game, part of four carries for 37 yards (9/13) . . . made Spartan debut in season opener vs. Western Michigan (8/29), notching eight carries for 17 yards.
LET'S GOOOOOOO!!!
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 25, 2026
Jack's heading to Atlanta! pic.twitter.com/vIAuiLC8CG
TE Jack Velling – 6-5 – 245 – Seattle, Wash. (Seattle Prep School/Oregon State)
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Tight end lettered two seasons at Michigan State (2024-25) and after playing two seasons at Oregon State (2022-23) . . . played in 47 collegiate games (23 at Oregon State, 24 at Michigan State) . . . started 38 career games (18 at Oregon State, 20 at Michigan State) . . . finished his career with 117 receptions for 1,489 yards and 14 touchdowns . . . had 72 catches for 770 yards and three TDs in his Spartan career . . . had 45 receptions for 719 yards and 11 TDs during his time at Oregon State.
2025 SEASON (SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Third-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and honorable mention choice by the coaches . . . hauled in 36 passes, tying a career high, for 359 yards . . . tied for second on the team with three TD catches . . . Academic All-Big Ten selection . . . played in all 12 games, including 10 starts . . . played a total of 611 offensive snaps, fifth-most on the team . . . 19-of-36 receptions (.528) went for first downs or TDs . . . had five receptions for 68 yards, including 9-yard TD grab, in his final collegiate game against Maryland at Ford Field . . . had a career game at Iowa with eight catches for 88 yards; five of the eight receptions went for first downs . . . had five catches for 62 yards alone in the first half at Iowa . . . named to the Mackey Award Watch List entering the season for the second consecutive year.
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