Your cheat sheet for the seven Spartans in the Combine

After having an outstanding season, seven of Michigan State’s football players have been invited to the Combine. Best of luck to all of them as they pursue their NFL careers. Here’s everything you need to know.

Jack Allen

Position: Center

NFL Grade: 5.51

Strengths: Allen is a strong center and his impressive two-time USA Today All-American titles proves this. He was a high school wrestler and has impressive core strength and stability due to this. He has great strength in his hands, and once he latches onto a defender, he’s not likely to let go. He has quick feet as well and uses this skill, combined with his wide reach, to redirect gap shooters away from his quarterback. All around tough guy that can complete a solid hit whether standing or on the move.

Notable Games: In the Spartans home closer against Penn State, Allen rushed for a touchdown, even throwing in a solid stiff arm.

Good Fits: Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars or the Cincinnati Bengals

Aaron Burbridge

Position: Wide Receiver

NFL Grade: 5.44

Strengths: Burbridge was named the Big Ten Receiver of the Year as a senior, and was also invited to the Senior Bowl in which he had an impressive touchdown catch. Aaron is capable of contorting himself mid-air, while maintaining ball awareness to make catches that even OBJ would be impressed by. He is able to follow detailed routes and break either left or right to secure a pass. His strong suit though is in tracking the ball deep. Burbridge is also more than willing to get physical both with cornerbacks, or when run blocking.

Notable Games: Against Penn State, Aaron spun twice, breaking two tackles, and leaped into the endzone to secure the touchdown. Perhaps more notable, was the leaping, entirely airborne, catch against Air Force that also landed in the endzone.

Good Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions or the New York Giants

Shilique Calhoun

Position:  Defensive End

NFL Grade: 5.74

Strengths: Calhoun was named to All American squads for three consecutive years, was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year as a redshirt sophomore, and was a two-time Ted Hendricks Award finalist. Shilique’s strong suit is getting to the quarterback, he posted 128 quarterback pressures and 26.5 sacks over last three years.  He runs through his pressure to better his field position, and is capable of impressive bursts of speed when a sack is possible. Calhoun also has strong field vision and can track the run game very efficiently with quick changes of direction.

Notable Games: In the Big Ten Championship game against Iowa, Calhoun posted six tackles, three of which were for a loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble, helping to hold the Hawkeyes to just 13 points.

Good Fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants or the Houston Texans

Jack Conklin

Position:  Offensive Tackle

NFL Grade: 6.4

Strengths: Conklin earned first-team All-Big Ten honors along with a slew of other awards throughout his years with the Spartans. Coming on as a preferred walk-on, it is incredibly impressive to see him as such a highly desired player. His notoriety came from his amazing ability to protect his quarterback. He latches onto defenders and makes getting past him near impossible. He acts like an anchor in pass protection, and sinks into his block to uproot his defenders. He really sets the tone for the rest of his offensive line. He is incredibly resilient player, and one NFC North scout described him as “tougher than old beef jerky.”

Notable Games: Against Ohio State he had 1.5 knockdowns and provided unreal protection for an inexperienced quarterback that allowed the Spartans to advance to the Big Ten Championship.

Good Fits: San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers, or the Detroit Lions.

Connor Cook

Position: Quarterback

NFL Grade: 5.9

Strengths: Cook brought home both the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Big Ten Quarterback of the Year Award in 2015. This four year starter broke many records at MSU and continued to improve each year. He is confident both within and outside of the pocket and is capable to continue to scan the field and complete passes while under pressure or on the move. He has the strength to haul the ball far downfield into narrow windows, but also is not scared to run the ball. Connor also doesn’t shy away from taking the hit if it means he can get off a good pass. He has more experience against high level opponents than any other QB in the draft.

Notable Games: While playing Iowa in the Big Ten Championship, Connor came off of a shoulder injury that was still plaguing him, completed key passes and even ran the ball on fourth down to ensure that the Spartans drive continued. He won MVP for leading his team to a riveting victory.

Good Fits: Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns or the Los Angeles Rams.

Joel Heath

Position: Defensive Tackle

NFL Grade: 5.11

Strengths: Heath was named Honorable All-Big Ten in his final year with the Spartans. Despite changing positions halfway through his career, he was an impact tackler who drives hard throughout each and every play. He can fight through the line and give chase to a run game. He is a strong leader for any defensive line.

Notable Games: Against Indiana, Heath posted four stops, plus a sack of 8 yards that earned him the title of Spartan Defensive Player of the Week.

Good Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns or the New Orleans Saints

Lawrence Thomas 

Position: Defensive Tackle

NFL Grade: 5.17

Strengths: Thomas was voted Honorable Mention All-Conference and played in the Senior Bowl his final year. He has impressive size, but still maintains elite athleticism. With very little bad-fat and incredible lower body strength, he is very challenging for an offensive line to secure, and he is always driving to improve his position. He is a natural leader and is willing to do even the dirty work to ensure success for his team. Also notable was his playing fullback in his early years with the Spartans. NFL teams may find his size and intrinsic running ability intriguing.

Notable Games: Despite an undesirable outcome, Thomas posted three tackles and one half tackle for a loss against Alabama in the Cotton Bowl, leading the defense through many tough drives.

Good Fits: Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers or the Carolina Panthers