Michigan State football: Scouts believe Malik Spencer could be first-rounder in 2025

According to some NFL scouts, Michigan State football defensive back Malik Spencer has the potential to be a first-rounder in 2025.

A half-year removed from the Mel Tucker era and there just feels like an electricity in the air surrounding the Michigan State football program.

Tucker always talked about recruiting and accruing talent and while he did a decent job with that, it was his on-field coaching and off-field mistakes that doomed him. He was a solid recruiter, however, and some of the talent that he brought in will be playing on Sundays soon.

One name that has stood out the most to scouts when talking about 2025 NFL Draft prospects is Malik Spencer.

The member of the 2022 recruiting class broke out in 2023 and has caught the attention of NFL scouts. According to a report from Jordan Schultz, he could play his way into a first-round selection next year.

Have asked a couple scouts about names to watch for the 2025 NFL Draft. Michigan State DB Malik Spencer has come up – 6-1, 205-pounder with quickness and athleticism. Had 72 tackles and 6 PBUs last season for the Spartans.

Spencer has a shot to elevate himself into the 1st-round… pic.twitter.com/sgIVDCJF0a

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 20, 2024

Spencer has been one of those guys on the defensive side of the ball who fits the “sky is the limit” tag and he showed that in 2023. He played on a bad defense, but with Joe Rossi now in charge, it feels like that side of the ball will improve drastically. Plus, he has a couple of defensive backs coaches who are going to ensure he lives up to this now-elevated hype.

Schultz described Spencer as a 6-foot-1, 205-pounder with quickness and athleticism. He had 72 tackles and six pass breakups in his first year as a starter in 2023 and he has a chance to improve on that in 2024 and potentially become a first-rounder.

The last time Michigan State football had a defensive back selected in the first round was the 2015 NFL Draft when Trae Waynes went 11th overall to the Minnesota Vikings. Could Spencer become the first first-rounder since Waynes for MSU?

It’s looking like the potential and talent are there. He just needs to capitalize.