Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State center Matt Gulbin was selected by the Washington Commanders in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday with the No. 209 overall pick, continuing the Spartans’ long-standing presence on draft weekend. Gulbin’s inclusion extends a streak in which Michigan State has produced at least one draft pick in nearly every year of the modern era.
Since the common NFL Draft era began in 1967, Michigan State has had a player selected in 59 of the last 60 drafts. The Spartans have also produced at least one draft pick in 85 of the last 86 drafts dating back to 1941 and 88 times overall since the draft began annually in 1936. Gulbin’s selection adds to that tradition and continues the program’s recent success along the offensive line.
SOCIAL MEDIA
(CONTINUED) Gulbin transferred to Michigan State in January 2025 after four seasons at Wake Forest and quickly emerged as a leader, earning co-captain honors for the 2025 season. He started the first 11 games at center before missing the regular-season finale because of injury. Gulbin was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the nation’s top center and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from the media. A native of Wilton, Connecticut, he was graded as the top Power Five center by Pro Football Focus and ranked No. 2 overall in the FBS, including a run-blocking grade that also ranked second nationally.
Over five collegiate seasons, Gulbin appeared in 52 games with 34 starts, playing both guard and center at Wake Forest before anchoring the middle of Michigan State’s offensive line. He graduated from Wake Forest with a bachelor’s degree in communication in December 2024. With Gulbin’s selection, Michigan State has now had an offensive lineman drafted in three consecutive years and four of the last five, reinforcing the program’s reputation for developing NFL-ready talent up front.
