Spartans in the NFL: Cody White makes 53-man roster, Jordan Turner to practice squad

As we take a look at how some Spartans in the NFL have fared during the preseason, one player made a roster out of camp for the first time.

With the NFL 53-man roster deadline on Tuesday, college football fans across the nation were glued to their phones, waiting to see if some of their favorite athletes to watch made an NFL roster. For some Spartans in the NFL, it was tough, with players like Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams and Jacoby Windmon being let go from the Panthers.

However, for Cody White, it was pure elation. The wide receiver made the 53-man roster out of camp for the first time in a six-year career.

This is Cody White’s “I made it” moment

For White, it has been a long time coming. Following a career at Michigan State that saw him record nearly 500 yards as a true freshman, the receiver surpassed 500 yards as a sophomore in only nine games. His junior year was his best yet, with the pass catcher nearly recording a 1,000-yard season, finishing at 922 yards.

He declared for the NFL Draft, and was invited to the NFL Combine. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and his Pro Day was cancelled. Without the extra chance to sign, White went undrafted, and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He had cups of coffee with the Giants and Broncos, before settling in with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There, White made both his NFL debut, alongside his first career catches and start, in three seasons in the black and gold. He signed with Seattle in 2023, but needed to wait nearly two full seasons before making his debut for the team.

Once he saw the field, he did not look back. He carried that momentum into the preseason, and an impressive final preseason game secured the Spartan a roster spot.

White took to social media to thank God and express the blessing it was to finally make the 53-man out of camp. He also mentioned this as his “I made it” moment.

Latest IG post from #Seahawks WR Cody White, who made the 53-man roster out of training camp for the first time in his career.

He says, in part: “I can finally call my momma and tell her I MADE IT!!” pic.twitter.com/lFT2gsaskU

— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) August 27, 2025

Jordan Turner remains in Denver

Turner was a captain after transferring from Wisconsin for the Spartans last year, and the Farmington Hills native was not as fortunate as White, with the defender being cut on Tuesday. However, Denver wanted to keep the linebacker around, re-signing him to their practice squad the second he cleared waivers.

Turner was a player that was overlooked during his time in the green and white, with his game against Ohio State being the best game a linebacker played against the Buckeyes in four seasons, via PFF. He got a rookie minicamp offer with the Broncos, and parlayed that into a contract and being a serious contender for the 53-man as a rookie. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider, who covers the Broncos, broke the news.

Kosmider also revealed that Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the meeting to finalize cuts took nearly six hours. Turner did not give his head coach an easy decision to cut.

The linebacker has defied the odds before, looking back at minicamp. His talent level will show, and the usual NFL attrition makes it highly likely that the Spartan makes his NFL regular season debut this year.