Michigan NFL Draft Recap: Wolverines Make Splash, Michigan State’s Streak Ends

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Written By Drew Ellis on May 4, 2021Last Updated on May 5, 2021
Michigan college football programs NFL Draft May 2021

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The 2021 NFL Draft offered abundant material for avid professional football enthusiasts. Nevertheless, there was a plethora of aspects to analyze concerning the two major college football programs in Michigan.

Michigan had a significant draft weekend, whereas Michigan State witnessed the conclusion of a long streak.

Michigan Wolverines see eight drafted

The Michigan Wolverines, despite a challenging 2020 season resulting in a 2-4 record, received significant recognition in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Among all the college programs in the nation, Michigan had the fifth-highest number of players selected with a total of eight.

There were eight Wolverines chosen, namely:

  • Indianapolis selects defensive end Kwity Paye with the 21st pick in the first round.
  • In the third round, the Atlanta team selects offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield, who is ranked at number 68.
  • In the third round, Houston selects WR Nico Collins with the 89th pick.
  • In the third round, the San Francisco team selects cornerback Ambry Thomas with the 102nd pick.
  • LB Cameron McGrone is selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round as the 177th pick.
  • In the fifth round, the Baltimore Ravens selected FB Ben Mason at No. 184.
  • Cincinnati selects RB Chris Evans with the 202nd pick in the sixth round.
  • In the sixth round of the draft, the Washington team selected Camaron Cheeseman, a talented long snapper, as their No. 225 pick.

Michigan had fewer players selected than only Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Notre Dame.

Michigan State Spartans get shut out; Michigan trolls

For decades, it has become a tradition in the NFL Draft to see a player from Michigan State being consistently chosen.

Nevertheless, the Spartans failed to achieve success in 2021, marking the end of an 80-year streak for MSU.

Michigan, in the spirit of rivalry, cleverly emphasized this fact. Ryan Osborn, a defensive assistant, retweeted the information, accompanied by a caption that read, “Regrettable sight… #GoBlue.”

From the Twitter account of Michigan assistant football coach Ryan Osborn.

As anticipated, the state’s social media platforms erupted into a raging controversy.

On October 31, Michigan State fans wasted no time in highlighting the fact that their team, despite not having a player drafted, managed to triumph over Osborn’s Michigan squad with a score of 27-24 in Ann Arbor.

It is worth pondering why Michigan, despite having a plethora of professional-level talent, has struggled significantly. Out of Jim Harbaugh’s six seasons, the Wolverines have finished third or lower in the Big Ten East Division five times.

Under the guidance of newly appointed coach Mel Tucker, Michigan State was undergoing a significant transformation. With a disappointing 2-5 record last season and frequent changes to their roster in recent years, the Spartans were in a period of transition.

Western Michigan Broncos make a small splash

Unbeknownst to many, yet another program from the state had a significant influence on the NFL Draft.

Last weekend, out of Michigan’s three Mid-American Conference schools, only Western Michigan managed to have a player selected.

The Broncos had been taken.

  • Seattle selects wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge as the 56th overall pick in the second round.
  • In the fifth round, the 155th pick goes to San Francisco, selecting OG Jaylon Moore.

Eskridge continues the legacy of highly-talented Western Michigan receivers, following in the footsteps of accomplished players such as Greg Jennings and Corey Davis.

During the abbreviated 2020 season, Western Michigan achieved a record of 4 wins and 2 losses.

Michigan NFL Draft Recap: Wolverines Make Splash, Michigan State’s Streak Ends 3

U-M, MSU have prospects for 2022 NFL Draft

Despite facing numerous challenges in 2021, Michigan remains one of the frontrunners in the Big Ten for the upcoming season.

The odds at DraftKings Sportsbook indicate that Ohio State is the frontrunner with -110. Following closely behind are Michigan and Penn State at +700. Michigan State, on the other hand, is considered a significant underdog with odds of +5000.

According to DK, Ohio State is heavily favored in the Big Ten East race with odds of -230. Michigan, on the other hand, holds odds of +450, while Michigan State trails behind with odds of +2500, placing them last in the race.

According to William Hill Sportsbook, Michigan has national title odds listed at +15000, while Michigan State is at +30000.

CBSSports projects that Aidan Hutchinson, a 6-foot-6 edge rusher, could be a late first-round option next year when the draft takes place. This suggests that once again, the Michigan college football programs are expected to have draftable talent.

Additional Michigan draft prospects for the year 2022 consist of:

  • Daxton Hill is a player in the position of safety.
  • Ronnie Bell, a talented wide receiver,
  • Ryan Hayes, an offensive lineman, plays the position of tackle.
  • Brad Hawkins, the player assigned to the position of safety.
  • Hassan Haskins, the talented running back.

Michigan State is optimistic about beginning a fresh draft streak in the upcoming season. Here are a few promising draft prospects for the Spartans:

  • The quarterback is Anthony Russo.
  • Xavier Henderson, the player in the position of safety.
  • Drew Jordan, a player in the position of defensive end.
  • Kevin Jarvis, a professional football player, specializes in the position of offensive lineman.
  • Offensive lineman AJ Arcuri

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