Matt Gulbin Selected By Washington Commanders In Round 6

On Saturday, Matt Gulbin finally heard his name called. The one-year Spartan captain saw his NFL Draft dreams realized, where he was selected 209th overall by the Washington Commanders.

Matt Gulbin projects as a center, and his competition on the D.C. depth chart is Nick Allegretti and Julian Good-Jones. There is a route to the field for Gulbin in 2026.

The 2025 Spartan starting center played in 11 of the 12 games for Michigan State, playing every snap of the season until missing the last game of the year against Maryland due to injury.

When asked about his injury at the NFL Combine in February by Lions On SI, he called himself back to full health. He did wait until Michigan State’s Pro Day in March to work out, though.

“I’m back to 100 percent, I’m training with no restrictions right now,” Gulbin said. “I feel great, I’m ready to go. If it was up to me, I would work out (at the NFL Combine), but the people in my corner are pushing me back (to Pro Day).”

One of the calling cards for Matt Gulbin has been his experience, with over 50 career games played, starting at all three spots on the interior offensive line between his time at Michigan State and Wake Forest.

“Experience matters, playing offensive line,” Gulbin said at the NFL Combine in February. “You go against a lot of great talent. I think that definitely puts me in a good spot, with all that experience under my belt.”

Despite entering Michigan State for only his last season, Gulbin was named a team captain, which he called the honor of his life.

“That (captainship) was the honor of my life,” Gulbin admitted. “To be captain, to lead them, it was a special group, that was very important to me. It was an honor.”

Gulbin becomes the 325^th Spartan selected into the league, which is good enough for 17^th all-time among football programs.

During his switch to full-time center, Gulbin revealed he watched a lot of College Football Hall of Fame member Alex Mack.

“One guy that I watched a ton of was Alex Mack. He’s not playing anymore, but he was coached by my offensive line coach, coach Michalczik in college, he recommended watching him,” Gulbin revealed. “So, I’ve watched a ton of his tape this past offseason.”

Ties Remain With Michigan State Football

While Gulbin has departed the practice facilities for Michigan State, his impact remains. Recently, Gulbin’s phone was quite active after Michigan State football and Pat Fitzgerald hired Nick Tabacca as offensive line coach this offseason. Gulbin played for Tabacca in his first four seasons in college at Wake Forest.

Rakeem Johnson revealed that the group chat for the Spartan offensive line was picking Gulbin’s brain on Tabacca’s scheme and lingo. Additionally, Nick Sharpe transferred to Michigan State this offseason, with the offensive lineman crediting Gulbin as a player that pushed him to be better every day in practice during their time with the Demon Deacons.

Now, Sharpe looks forward to starting for Michigan State while Gulbin begins his pro career.