Spartan Linebacker Jacoby Windmon Cut by Carolina Panthers

A Michigan State football star is now looking for his next stop in the NFL. Four years after a breakout opening game with the Spartans, Jacoby Windmon found himself having the conversation no NFL player wants with the coach on Thursday. Windmon was cut from the Carolina Panthers amidst the roster turnover during rookie minicamp.

More on Jacoby Windmon

Windmon spent two seasons with the Spartans after transferring from UNLV. He burst onto the scene in 2022 with a four-sack, one forced fumble outing against Western Michigan. The New Orleans native followed that up with a 1.5 sack and three forced fumble outing taking on the Akron Zips. He forced a fumble against Minnesota a few weeks later, before having an interception and forced fumble against Wisconsin.

However, an injury derailed his season, ending it four games early. Windmon returned to health for 2023, but only played in three games before having to call it a season again. He finished 2023 with 1.5 sacks in limited snaps. He entered the transfer portal before ultimately declaring for the NFL Draft.

Windmon, despite his ability force fumbles, including six his first year with MSU, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was picked up by Pittsburgh, before the Steelers released him. Carolina signed the three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and he played in eight games in 2024, with 1.5 sacks.

He also got the notoriety of being the first NFL player penalized for a hip drop tackle, as the NFL cracked down on player safety by not enforcing the rule besides attacking a player with one of the smallest contracts in the league.

Windmon tried his luck with Pittsburgh again during the 2025 campaign, after being released by the Panthers during final roster cuts, but re-signed with Carolina after being cut by Pittsburgh and played in one game last season.

What is next for Windmon?

Windmon will be looking for another chance to prove himself in the league. As a player entering his age-25 season, there is a good chance he will be picked up. As a hybrid defensive end and linebacker, he should not remain available for too long on the market. Regardless, Windmon went from a UNLV player to a Spartan into a player with nine career NFL games under his belt.