A Wake Forest transfer who reinvented himself as a center at Michigan State, Matt Gulbin landed in Washington as a sixth-round steal in the 2026 draft.
Matt Gulbin arrives in Washington as a rookie center after five college seasons split between Wake Forest and Michigan State. He spent most of his college career at guard before shifting to center for his final year, and he now competes for a role in the Commanders' interior line rotation.
Path to the league
A three-star recruit out of Wilton, Connecticut, Gulbin played four seasons at Wake Forest from 2021 to 2024, appearing in 41 games with 23 starts mostly at guard and earning honorable mention All-ACC honors in 2024. He transferred to Michigan State in January 2025 and moved to center, and the Commanders selected him in the sixth round (No. 209 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Gulbin was voted a team captain for his lone season at Michigan State and earned a spot on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, given annually to the nation's top center. Pro Football Focus graded him as the top Power 4 center in college football and No. 2 overall in the FBS, with a run-blocking grade that ranked second nationally.
2025 season recap
In his only season at center, Gulbin started 11 of Michigan State's 12 games before a late-season injury ended his year early. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition for his work anchoring the Spartans' offensive line.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Matt Gulbin
- ESPN: Matt Gulbin
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Center
- Group
- offense
- College
- Michigan State
- Hometown
- Wilton, CT, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
Team
