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With the NFL Combine operating at a more limited basis in 2021 — without events being held in Indianapolis as usual — individual school pro days are essential for 2021 NFL Draft hopefuls. Without the in-person workouts portion of the Combine, the pro days will allow prospects to test in various drills in an effort to catch the eyes of pro scouts.
Michigan State is holding its pro day today. Here is a full list of participants, via Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press:
MSU pro day participants Wednesday:
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 23, 2021
LS Ryan Armour
DB Shakur Brown
DB Josh Butler
DB David Dowell
OL Tyler Higby
DT Naquan Jones
QB Brian Lewerke
TE Matt Seybert
LB Antjuan Simmons
LB Tyriq Thompson
Of course, from the 2020 roster, cornerback Shakur Brown, linebacker Antjuan Simmons and defensive tackle Naquan Jones all declared for the 2021 NFL Draft (Thursday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1). All three of those players will participate in MSU’s pro day.
However, several former Spartans, who last played for Michigan State in 2019 and hoped to play in the NFL in 2020, will also get a chance to work out at the pro day. MSU’s 2020 pro day was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so head coach Mel Tucker invited those players back to participate this year. Those players include:
- Ryan Armour, long snapper
- Josh Butler, cornerback
- David Dowell, safety
- Tyler Higby, offensive lineman
- Brian Lewerke, quarterback
- Matt Seybert, tight end
- Tyriq Thompson, linebacker
Tucker is excited about the pro day and the opportunity it provides for the athletes to complete their dream of playing in the NFL.
“I’m looking forward to (the pro day),” Tucker said on Tuesday. “I’ve gotten a lot of texts from (former Michigan State) players thanking me, thanking us for allowing them to come back and work out for the scouts. And it’s a benefit to the scouts as well, they want to see them. Most of the players have a dream of playing an NFL, or at least getting a shot. So anything that we can do to help them reach their dreams in terms of the NFL, I think we owe it to our players to do that. Certainly they put the work in here for us. We need to help them out as much as we can.”
The pro day is not open to the media or public, but Tucker and several of the participants will be available later today to speak via Zoom call. Stay tuned to The Only Colors for more coverage.