The former MSU cornerback and face of last year’s “No Fly Zone” secondary was drafted No. 24 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the first MSU player drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft since Charles Rogers went second overall to the Detroit Lions in 2003.
Though several Spartans — many of which finished their careers as the winningest MSU class ever with a 42-12 overall record and Rose Bowl champions — were projected as draft picks, Dennard was the lone MSU player drafted, the first time MSU has had just one player drafted since 2010.
After the draft, a flurry of undrafted MSU players tweeted that they signed with NFL teams.
As of press time, linebacker Max Bullough (Houston Texans), safety Isaiah Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals), linebacker Denicos Allen (Carolina Panthers), wide receiver Bennie Fowler (Denver Broncos), defensive tackle Tyler Hoover (Indianapolis Colts), offensive tackle Fou Fonoti (San Francisco 49ers), defensive tackle Micajah Reynolds (New Orleans Saints), offensive lineman Dan France (Cincinnati Bengals), and linebacker Kyler Elsworth (Washington Redskins) have all signed NFL free agent deals.
