Watch: MSU's Nick Samac gets emotional, jokes about playing for a Harbaugh in draft call

One of the best parts of the NFL draft is seeing the emotion pour out of players when they receive the phone call where they learn their life's dream is about to come true.

The toughness needed to reach the NFL often boils away in that moment, revealing how much it means to the player to reach the pinnacle of their sport.

That was the case Saturday for former Michigan State center Nick Samac, who had his dreams come true at the end of the 2024 NFL draft when he was selected in the seventh round by the Baltimore Ravens.

Samac, who returned for a fifth season at MSU in 2023 before it was prematurely ended due to a broken leg, broke down in tears with his parents by his side as Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta let him know they would be taking him with the No. 228 pick in the draft.

"I wanted to let you know that we think you are a heck of a good prospect for us and we are going to draft you in the seventh round with this pick right here," De Costa said on the phone from the Baltimore draft room.

Samac, in noticeable shock, responded by saying, "Thank you so much, thank you so much. For sure (excited). It means the world."

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De Costa went on to talk about Samac's opportunity to play center for reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and work with their renowned coaching staff, led by John Harbaugh. When De Costa said they were about to turn the pick in, Samac started to cry joyous tears and his dad gave him a proud hug.

Before giving the phone to Harbaugh, De Costa said, "don't hold it against him that he's a Harbaugh" alluding to John's brother, Jim, who coached Samac's rival, Michigan, throughout his career in East Lansing.

Harbaugh took over the phone and repeated the same joke, saying, "You okay playing for a Harbaugh?" with a smile.

Samac, who had his parents sitting on either side of him, composed himself to say, "That sounds great."

Harbaugh said the Ravens loved Samac as a player and person and were eager to get him in the building to start working.

"Thank you so much, I appreciate that," Samac said through tears. "It means the world to me and my family."

The phone call ended there, and Samac put his phone down then covered his face in disbelief. His family erupted in applause and cheers while his parents hugged him. He later described the scene as an "insane moment" that he was still processing.

"I'm blessed to be a part of that amazing organization and to prove to everybody that this was a great pick," Samac told reporters by phone Saturday evening. "It's definitely been a journey throughout my last year, and I've just gonna do everything to get back right. And I've been on a good path. I'm kind of speechless."

Samac, listed at 6 feet 4 and 307 pounds, started 32 games and made 48 appearances in his five-year career at MSU, all at center. He enrolled in 2019 under coach Mark Dantonio and became a leader for the Spartans throughout his career. Samac was a prominent voice in the locker room during the rocky 2023 season, where head coach Mel Tucker was fired in the first month.

Samac will slot in as a depth piece on the interior offensive line, backing up Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum.

"They got a hard worker, somebody that's gonna bring it every single day 110%," Samac told reporters. "I'm not gonna back down from any challenge, and I'm gonna overcome any adversity that comes my way."

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Watch: Former MSU center Nick Samac gets emotional in NFL draft call