Where undrafted Michigan State football players are signing in NFL for 2024

Jacoby Windmon's two seasons with Michigan State football both got cut short.

The next time he plays may be in the NFL.

The linebacker signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an as undrafted free agent Saturday evening, the first Spartan from the 2023 squad to agree to a deal following the conclusion of the seven-round, 257-pick NFL draft that was held in Detroit.

Here's a look at MSU's undrafted players who've reportedly agreed to terms as free agents:

DRAFTED SPARTAN: C Nick Samac selected by Baltimore in 7th round

Harold Joiner III to Indianapolis

Michigan State running back Harold Joiner goes through drills during the spring practice on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State running back Harold Joiner goes through drills during the spring practice on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at Spartan Stadium.

Swiss Army knife Harold Joiner III received an invitation to Indianapolis Colts mini-camp as a linebacker, per MSU.

Joiner arrived at MSU in 2021 as a running back transfer from Auburn but moved to safety and linebacker before returning to the offensive backfield in 2023. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Birmingham, Alabama, emerged as a valuable contributor elsewhere, getting 544 reps on special teams in three years to just 169 snaps on offense. Joiner finished his career as a Spartan with 21 carries for 50 yards rushing and 10 catches for 58 yards receiving at running back and 10 tackles on punt and kickoff coverage.

It was Joiner's impressive pro day at MSU in March that turned scouts' heads, grading as an 8.27 on a 10 scale in the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) testing. His explosion in both the vertical and broad jumps were considered elite, and his composite speed grade was rated as great.

Tre Mosley to Cincinnati

Michigan State wide receiver Tre Mosley (17) runs against Central Michigan during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
Michigan State wide receiver Tre Mosley (17) runs against Central Michigan during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

Wide receiver Tre Mosley agreed to a deal Saturday night with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to MSU. Terms were not released.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Pontiac and West Bloomfield High product had 1,464 yards with 10 touchdowns on 126 catches over five seasons with the Spartans. Mosley started seven of his eight games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending left hand injury, finishing with 28 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

His best season came in 2021 as the No. 3 option alongside current NFL receivers Jayden Reed and Jailon Nailor, when Mosley caught 35 passes for a career-best 530 yards with three touchdowns. He equaled those 35 grabs in 2022 for 359 yards, including a personal high four touchdowns.

Two other former Spartans who transferred out of the program also reportedly landed NFL free-agent deals with the Cincinnati Bengals: defensive back Michael Dowell, who left for Miami (Ohio) following the 2021 season, and quarterback Rocky Lombardi, who transferred to Northern Illinois after the 2020 season.

Jacoby Windmon to Pittsburgh

Michigan State's Jacoby Windmon, left, tackles Richmond's Nick DeGennaro during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Jacoby Windmon, left, tackles Richmond's Nick DeGennaro during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Windmon played just three games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending pectoral muscle injury. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound New Orleans native had 15 tackles, with a sack among his two tackles for a loss.

Upon arriving from UNLV via transfer before the 2022 season, Windmon broke out by becoming the first MSU defensive player to earn three Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. He started the first eight games between defensive end and linebacker before being suspended for the final four games of 2022 for his role in an altercation in the Michigan Stadium tunnel following the Wolverines’ 29-7 win in Ann Arbor.

At the time of the suspension, Windmon led the nation with six forced fumbles and a team-high 5½ sacks among his 49 tackles. He also had an interception and a fumble recovery and was a second-team midseason All-American edge defender, according to Pro Football Focus, but did not receive postseason Big Ten honors.

Windmon played three seasons at UNLV, twice earning All-Mountain West honors, before transferring to MSU. He opted to return to the Spartans instead of declaring for the 2023 NFL draft.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where undrafted Michigan State football players are signing NFL deals

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