2012 Michigan State pass-catchers have strong presence in NFL

The 2012 Michigan State Spartans featured a special group of pass-catchers

While wide receiver Keith Mumphery and Bennie Fowler got a lot of the recognition that year, MSU also got good production from several other guys who are now on NFL rosters.

You probably know about Fowler being a member of the Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos. However, Fowler was one of seven Spartan pass-catchers from that 2012 that are now on NFL Rosters, as Ducking Delvon points out:

Mumphery is now a member of the Houston Texans after appearing in 15 games with them in 2015.

Tight end Dion Sims is entering his fourth season with the Miami Dolphins. In 42 career games, Sims has caught 48 passes for 443 yards and four touchdowns.

Tony Lippett, who played both cornerback and receiver at MSU, is entering his second season with the Dolphins. He appeared in nine games last year while making 13 tackles.

You know all about Le’Veon Bell by now. The Pittsburgh Steelers star has become the NFL’s best running back since leaving East Lansing.

Wide receiver Aaron Burbridge is entering his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers. He was drafted in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft and made the 49ers’ final 53-man roster.

But of all the guys to catch a pass for the Spartans in 2012, Lawrence Thomas was probably the biggest long-shot to make an NFL roster. Over the course of his MSU career, Thomas split time between defensive end, fullback and defensive tackle.

It was at fullback where Thomas caught seven passes for 78 yards in 2012, but he would eventually move to defensive tackle full time. Now, he’s on the New York Jets’ opening day roster along their defensive line.