Two former Michigan State University football players drafted into the UFL

Some former Michigan State University football players were just selected in the UFL Draft. Where did Rocky Lombardi and JD Duplain go?

On Wednesday, two former Michigan State University football players were selected in the UFL Draft and will continue their careers after college. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi was drafted in the fifth round by the Michigan Panthers.

We are looking forward to it 👏

Our fifth pick of the 2024 UFL College Draft is QB Rocky Lombardi 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kdvQDQtVvR

— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) July 17, 2024

Four rounds later, his former teammate, offensive lineman JD Duplain, was drafted as the team’s ninth pick and joined him on the Panthers.

Michigan stays home for @jd_duplain 🤩

We selected OL JD Duplain with our ninth pick of the 2024 UFL College Draft 🔥 #LetUsHunt🐾 pic.twitter.com/IyKx9unvjY

— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) July 17, 2024

The UFL is a top-tier minor football league that begins its season in March and fills the “spring gap” when the NFL is in the midst of its offseason. The league was formed from the merger between the XFL and the USFL to meet market demand for spring ball.

Rocky Lombardi is not the first former Spartan quarterback to join the UFL’s Michigan Panthers. After a brief stint in the NFL with the New England Patriots and New York Giants, Brian Lewerke joined the Panthers for the 2023 season. Lombardi, best known for his standout performance against Michigan in 2020, transferred to Northern Illinois after the season.

He is joined by former Spartan left guard JD Duplain, who has the second-most starts by a Michigan State offensive lineman in a career with 47. During his time at MSU, Duplain earned three All-Big Ten honorable mentions and was named to the Academic All-Big Ten twice. Duplain has been one of the few constants for the East Lansing football program between 2019-2023.

Both players hold a special place not only in my heart, but in the hearts of many other Michigan State football fans – Lombardi for leading former head coach Mel Tucker to his first victory over rival Michigan, and Duplain as a model of perseverance during the rollercoaster ride we’ve all experienced over the past five years.

I wish them success at the next level.