Matt Gulbin
Washington CommandersOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
WAKE · Unknown
| Season | G | PrsA | SkA | HitA | Pen | PBE | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 97.2 | 375 |
| 2024 | 12 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 97.8 | 400 |
| 2025 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 99.1 | 50 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
WAKE · 2026 draft class
Matt Gulbin developed into one of the top center prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class after a successful one-season stint at Michigan State. The Wilton, Connecticut native arrived as a three-star recruit from Wilton High School in 2021 and spent his first four years at Wake Forest, where he gained valuable experience starting 11 games at both guard spots and one game at center. His transfer to Michigan State before the 2025 season proved transformative-Gulbin was immediately voted team captain during his lone year with the Spartans and started 11 games at center. At 6'4", 312 pounds, Gulbin is a brick wall in pass protection who quickly re-anchors even when defenders get into his chest. During his season at Michigan State, he gave up just two sacks and five pressures, with the second-lowest pressure rate among all Big Ten centers. His upper body strength and powerful leg drive make him a mauler capable of torquing and pancaking smaller defenders or generating significan't horizontal displacement. Gulbin is a consistent force at the point of attack who keeps run lanes clear and strains to establish leverage and finish blocks through the whistle. His versatility is notable-he has experience at right tackle, right guard, left guard, and center, though 2025 was his first year playing center full-time. The redshirt senior's inexperience at the pivot shows up occasionally through misdiagnosed stunts or blitzes. His foot speed puts him at a disadvantage against twitchy defenders, and his hand technique requires refinement. ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks him 4th among centers behind Olaivavega Ioane, Connor Lew, and Emmanuel Pregnon. Gulbin projects as a developing center who may need a one-to-two year runway in the NFL but could emerge as an eventual starter.
Strengths
- Brick wall in pass protection with elite anchor
- 2nd-lowest pressure rate among Big Ten centers
- Upper body strength creates pancake ability
- Consistent force at point of attack
- Team captain and leadership presence
- Versatility at multiple OL positions
- Finishe's blocks through the whistle
- 6'4" 312 lbs provides ideal size
- Recovers well when initially beaten
- Low sack total (2) in 2025
Concerns
- Inexperience at center (first full-time year)
- Misdiagnoses stunts and blitzes occasionally
- Foot speed disadvantage vs twitchy defenders
- Hand technique needs refinement
- Strike timing and placement inconsistent
- May need 1-2 year NFL development runway
- Pad level gets too upright at times
- Limited athletic ceiling for position
Honors
Team Captain (2025); #4 center (Mel Kiper); Second-lowest pressure rate among Big Ten centers; Wake Forest to MSU transfer