Two former Michigan State football players are getting NFL opportunities

A couple of former Michigan State football players will be getting a crack at the NFL after signing deals this week.

Two recent departures from the Michigan State football program are getting their shots at an NFL roster.

On Thursday morning, Michigan State announced via Twitter that both offensive lineman Matt Carrick and cornerback Ronald Williams II were invited to NFL rookie minicamps — Carrick with the Packers and Williams with the 49ers.

Congratulations to @LongLiveZan9 & @Matt_carrick56 for earning Mini-Camp Invites with the @49ers & @packers.#RELENTLESS pic.twitter.com/PuWBgJ5lmr

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) May 4, 2023

A minicamp is a way for teams to screen NFL hopefuls and see if each one has what it takes to make the roster. Many rookies don’t make the cut, but plenty do, and it’s an excellent opportunity to make an impression regardless. This is better than not getting an opportunity at all which happens to hundreds of players every draft cycle.

To provide some background information, Carrick played right guard in his sixth-year senior season in 2022. He was one of the more stable figures across the Spartans’ offensive line, as he started from 2019-2022. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, he definitely has the size to translate to the professional level. If he makes the cut, he’ll reunite with former Spartan wide receiver Jayden Reed.

Williams, on the other hand, was a transfer from Alabama in 2021 and played two seasons in East Lansing. He was also a sixth-year senior and recorded 10 starts, 59 tackles, nine pass breakups, and an interception during his time with the program. He’ll try to make his mark in San Francisco.

Fans will hear the results of the minicamp sometime in the future.

These two will join the likes of Reed, Bryce Baringer, Ben VanSumeren, Kendell Brooks, Jacob Slade, Ameer Speed, and Jarrett Horst who all signed undrafted free agent deals or were drafted. Michigan State continues to send guys to the NFL which is a good look, especially if these minicamp invitees can make noise.