Michigan State is losing two of its best football players to the NFL Draft.
Junior running back Le’Veon Bell and junior tight end Dion Sims have both announced that they will skip their senior season to play professionally.
Bell said the decision was the toughest he’s had to make.
“This was the hardest decision of my life. It’s difficult to leave my teammates and coaches as well as Spartan Nation, ” said Bell. “But I couldn’t pass on pursuing my dream and the opportunity to change my mom’s life.
Bell led the nation in carries and ran for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
Sims, a 6’5”, 280-lb Orchard Lake St. Mary’s alum, is projected to be drafted as high as the second round.
“I think I can impress the pro scouts with my end-line blocking and provide a big target over the middle. With my size and athleticism, I can create mismatches in the passing game against linebackers and safeties,” said Sims.
“Coach Dantonio has built a great football program at Michigan State. He is a great coach and an even better person. Coach D has a solid nucleus of players returning, plus he’ll bring in a talented recruiting class. He also has surrounded himself with great coaches and they’ll develop a plan to get the job done next season.”
Junior Will Gholston is still debating if he will join the draft. His mother told the Detroit Free Press he is hoping to make a decision in the next few days.
