SAN JOSE, Calif. - Tight end Derrick Deese, Jr. and offensive lineman Jack Snyder both signed NFL contracts on Saturday. Deese signed with the Detroit Lions, while Snyder heads to the Los Angeles Rams. They join fellow Spartans Keith Smith, Josh Oliver, David Quessenberry, Jeremiah Kolone, Andre Chachere and Wes Schweitzer in the NFL.
Quarterback Nick Starkel has minicamp invites with the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys.
Derrick Deese, Jr.
- From La Palma, Calif.
- Honorable Mention All-Mountain West (2021, 2020)
- Mountain West All-Academic team (2020, 2019)
- Started all 12 games at tight end (2021)
- Finished No. 6 in the nation at tight end for receiving yards (723) (2021)
- Led the Spartans in touchdowns (4), catches (46) and yards (723) (2021)
- Had four 30-plus yard receptions (202)
- 11th ranked tight end in nation according to profootballfocus.com (2021)
- Career-best season of 20 catches for 240 yards and five touchdowns (2020)
- One of eight national semifinalists for the John Mackey National Tight End Award (2020)
Jack Snyder
- From Mill Valley, Calif.
- NFF Hampshire Honor Society (2022)
- Second-Team All-Mountain West (2021)
- First-Team All-Mountain West (2020)
- ProFootballFocus.Com Mountain West Player of the Year (2020)
- Honorable Mention All-Mountain West (2019)
- Five-time Academic All-Mountain West
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2018 and 2020)
- San Jose State University Dean's Scholar (2018)
- SJSU record holder for most starts (52) and most games played (57)
- Started all 12 games for the Spartans at left tackle (2021)
Nick Starkel
- From Argyle, Texas
- 26 touchdowns with 3,819 passing yards in two seasons with the Spartans
- Hula Bowl All-Star Game participant (2022)
- Second-Team All-Mountain West (2020)
- Named the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week (10/31/20)
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