NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Michigan State IOL Matt Gulbin

Matt Gulbin is a hard-nosed, efficient center prospect with good play strength and good feel to help mitigate below average length and quickness. He projects as a quality swing interior backup and fringe starter at the pivot who can keep an offense on schedule in a pinch.

Gulbin is a 6'4", 305-pound center prospect who entered the Wake Forest program as a 3-star recruit in the 2021 class. After starting 23 games (11 at each guard spot, one at center) over four years he transferred to Michigan State in 2025.

The former Spartan finished his career with 34 career starts, including 11 at center as a team captain last season. Gulbin was a 2025 team captain and is the only offensive linemen in the class with double-digit starts at all three interior spots.

Brandon Thorn: Brandon is the author of the Trench Warfare newsletter, which focuses exclusively on offensive and defensive line evaluation. He also contributes as an analyst to Establish the Run, serves as the scouting coordinator for OL Masterminds and is a selection committee member for the Joe Moore Award. 

Where He Wins

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- Solid play strength with a flat-back posture and tight hand placement to create firm, quick leverage on blocks.

- Sturdy anchor with low pads, stiff punch and force through the ground to root his feet.

- Efficient combination and double-team blocker who overtakes targets on zone concepts and is firm in the post on vertical doubles.

- Shows good feel, tempo and timing on releases and climbs to intersect backers on quick-hitting, inside-the-box runs.

Areas of Improvement

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- Sawed off build with below average movement skills.

- Will struggle hardening his edges and shoring up movement across his face.

- Vulnerable to getting stacked when attempting to close the runway on three techniques on full slides, boots and roll-outs.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 6.0 (Developmental Prospect - Late Round 5)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Clay Webb (6.2 in 2025), Jake Andrews (5.9 in 2023), Jimmy Morrissey (5.8 in 2021)

OVERALL RANK: 215

POSITION RANK: IOL24

PRO COMPARISON: Jake Andrews

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 305
Arm Length: 31 ¾"
Hand: 9 ½"

40-Yard Dash: NA
10-Yard Split: NA
Vertical: NA
Broad: NA
Shuttle: NA
3-Cone: NA
Bench: NA