Former Michigan State football star LB signed to Panthers’ active roster

One of the bright spots of Michigan State football during the Mel Tucker era was edge rusher and linebacker Jacoby Windmon. He was an instant star in 2022 to begin the season and led the nation in forced fumbles before getting suspended for his role in the tunnel incident.

After that, he was never quite the same but the potential was always there.

Still, he’s considered one of the players from the Tucker era who could have been elite if they had gotten slightly better coaching. He was still elite for about a half season before his suspension and then 2023 was a complete disaster and loss because of the coaching vacancy.

Windmon still found his way onto an NFL team as the Steelers signed him to their practice squad. He has been there through the first part of the 2024 season but it looks like he’s about to get a real opportunity to prove himself.

According to reports, Windmon was signed on Tuesday to the Panthers’ active roster.

The #Panthers have signed OLB Jacoby Windmon off the #Steelers practice squad.

OLB Tarron Jackson was waived in a corresponding move.

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) October 15, 2024

It feels like the Panthers could use a ton of help and this is a prime spot for Windmon to get an opportunity because there really are no expectations for this team. He could carve out a nice role in Carolina and prove that he’s a capable NFL linebacker or edge rusher.

Windmon had an impressive college career before going undrafted in 2024, starring as an All-Mountain West linebacker at UNLV before transferring to Michigan State (we’ll call it the Ricky White trade). He then had 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, an interception, two pass breakups, and six forced fumbles in 11 games for the Spartans. Windmon was a defensive revelation for Scottie Hazelton.

Now, he’s getting his opportunity in the NFL and he deserves it.

A lot of Michigan State football fans will be rooting on the Panthers as long as Windmon is there and let’s hope he sticks and carves out a nice starting role in the NFL for years to come.