Many may not recognize the mix of music and football as a winning combination, but for Ravens seventh-round center Nick Samac, music offers an escape from the daily grind of football.
Selected by the Ravens with the No. 228 overall pick, Samac started at center for Michigan State the past several seasons, but music has been part of his life for longer than that.
“I’ve been singing my whole life. … Picking up the guitar, my center in high school actually back in 2017 is when I first found the guitar,” Samac said on Glenn Clark Radio May 9. “He was really good with the guitar so it taught me a little bit so I ended up implemented that with my singing. I love music, so it’s definitely something I do with my free time.”
Ravens fans will get to know Samac for his work on the football field soon enough. The 6-foot-4, 307-pound offensive lineman was a five-year letterwinner, participating in 49 career games for the Spartans with 32 starts at center from 2019-2023.
The Mentor, Ohio, native accumulated 2,427 snaps at center throughout his five-year tenure at Michigan State. Additionally, he received recognition as a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection (2022, 2023).
Samac’s football journey started with his sheer size and physical capabilities.
“I started playing when I was around 7. My dad was my youth coach. The moment I found out I was just a little bit bigger than everyone else was when I was playing running back for my first years,” Samac said. “He had to have sit-down talk with me and tell me I had to move to the D-line my last year of youth league. I gained a little too much weight and then I switched to O-line in middle school and kind of went from there. I’ve always had that itch to hit people on the field and just get after people physically.”
Strength and more importantly the ability to apply power and leverage while blocking allowed Samac to transition to the offensive line successfully.
“I think I really found that in high school as I started developing through my junior year and I was able to start varsity,” Samac said. “It was kind of an adrenaline rush any time I got to get out in open space or just get a good combo block with my tackle or center. I just love getting after people.”
As a consensus three-star prospect from Ohio, Samac received offers from Michigan State, Ohio State, Boston College, Duke, Indiana, Minnesota and Vanderbilt along with a number of Group of 5 programs, including Eastern Michigan.
But Michigan State, which marked his first Power 5 visit, resonated with him the most.
“When I visited there, I fell in love right away. Ohio State actually hadn’t extended an offer at that point and they offered me after the fact of me committing,” Samac said. “I am a loyal person. I stay true to my gut and my gut instincts, so I just stuck with Michigan State and I’m so happy that I did because even with all the ups and downs, I feel like it’s definitely built me into the player and man I am today.”
Samac experienced a rollercoaster ride during his time as a Spartan. He navigated two coaching transitions after being recruited by Mark Dantonio, and in 2023, he battled through a partial pectoral tear and ultimately suffered a season-ending broken left fibula.
Although Samac’s journey has been marred by various challenges and setbacks, hearing his named called in the seventh round was worth the wait.
“I’m just blessed to have heard my name called at all. I’ve dealt with adversities with injuries toward the end of my career, but I was still fortunate enough to get the Shrine Bowl invite as well as the Combine invite,” Samac said. “I was just super blessed in that aspect, to even get those opportunities. To hear my name called, I don’t care if it was the first pick overall or the last pick in the draft or even if I got an opportunity after the draft, I knew I was going to make the best of any opportunity I had.”
It’s no secret that adaptability and versatility are essential components that shape players into well-rounded and invaluable assets for NFL teams. Samac believes those are his best traits as a player, noting he can play both guard spots in addition to center.
Samac’s leap forward in his career journey feels like a dream, but he is up to the task to prove he was a great pick.
“It felt life-changing right when it happened. I was super excited to enjoy that moment on draft day with my family,” Samac said. “But now it’s definitely set in. It’s a job. I’ve got to earn everything that I do from here on out. Nothing is going to be given to me, especially as a seventh-round draft choice. I know I’ve got a lot of work to do, and that’s something I pride myself on. I’m a hard worker and I’m a tough dude. It’s just my job now, so I’ve got to fight every day to earn my spot and earn my respect.”
For more from Samac, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Michigan State Athletics