GREEN & WHITE FOOTBALL

Ex-MSU stars Connor Cook, Donavon Clark sign NFL deals

Chris Solari

Lansing State Journal

Former MSU offensive lineman Donavon Clark (76) and quarterback Connor Cook (18) signed their first NFL contracts Monday. Cook was a fourth-round pick of the Oakland Raiders, and Clark was a seventh-round selection of the San Diego Chargers.

Former Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders agreed to a four-year rookie deal on Monday night reportedly worth $2.96 million with their fourth-round pick, the No. 100 overall selection in the NFL Draft. Cook will receive nearly $620,000 as a signing bonus, according to www.spotrac.com.

The winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Big Ten’s Quarterback of the Year in 2015, Cook left MSU as the school’s winningest quarterback (34-5 in three seasons) and the record-holder in passing yards (9,194), touchdown passes (71) and total offense (9,403 yards). The 6-foot-4, 217-pounder from Hinckley, Ohio, also led the Spartans to two Big Ten championships and victories in the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl.

Also Monday, former Spartan offensive lineman Donavon Clark agreed to a four-year deal with San Diego. The seventh-round pick reportedly will receive $2.43 million, including a signing bonus of more than $86,000. The 6-3, 312-pounder from Cincinnati started 33 games at MSU, including 18 at right guard, nine at right tackle and six at left tackle.

Former MSU wide receiver Aaron Burbridge signed his four-year rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Friday. It was a four-year deal worth $2.44 million, according to www.spotrac.com.

Two of the five former MSU players who were drafted remain unsigned: first-round offensive lineman Jack Conklin with Tennessee and third-round defensive end Shilique Calhoun with Oakland.