The dream is now a reality for Nick Samac. The Mentor graduate and Michigan State center got the call all NFL Draft hopefuls want when Samac was selected in the seventh and final round by the Ravens on April 27. Samac went No. 228 overall — one pick after the Browns picked South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden with the 227th pick. Welcome to Baltimore, @nickysamac pic.twitter.com/UYwGDX7ILJ — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 27, 2024 CBS Sports gave thumbs up to both selections — an A+ for the Browns’ pick of Harden and a A for the Ravens taking Samac. Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports said this about Samac: “Arguably the best, most methodical run-blocker in this class. Plenty of experience. Not loads of anchoring skill but very aware of games up front from the defensive line. Shrewd pick here.” Samac’s selection was historic as it pertains to the Mentor football program. Michigan State center Nick Samac celebrates a touchdown against Nebraska on Nov. 4 in East Lansing, Mich. (Al Goldis — The Associated Press) Samac is now the seventh former Cardinal selected in the NFL Draft. He joins Mitchell Trubisky, Bob Hallen, Tom Barndt, brothers Paul and Dan Ryczek. Also drafted was former Mentor great Rick Galbos, who played for Woody Hayes at Ohio State. Galbos was drafted by Washington in 1971 but never played in the NFL, instead opting to play in the Canadian Football League. Samac said it was important to him to get drafted. “It would be more than a victory for myself,” Samac told The News-Herald before the draft. “It’s for my community and my family. The city of Mentor has supported me along the way. This is everything to me.” Samac — 6-foot-4, 307 pounds — was drafted by the Ravens thanks to a stellar career at Michigan State. Mentor graduate Nick Samac of Michigan State played center for the Spartans during his five seasons in East Lansing, Mich. (Courtesy of Michigan State Athletics) He arrived in East Lansing, Mich., in the summer of 2019 as a three-star recruit by ESPN and a four-star recruit by 247 sports. By the end of the Spartans’ regular season, he started four games at center at age 18. The following season in 2020, Samac played in seven games and 410 snaps. By 2021, he was a regular at center until the completion of the 2023 season. From 2021 to 2023, he started 32 games, played more than 1,500 snaps, allowed just three sacks — all at center — was a team captain and was honorable mention All-Big Ten the last two seasons. “I think last season was the ultimate showcase of my skills,” said Samac. Center was Samac’s only position for the Spartans when he played, but he has experience at the guard position. Tyler Linderbaum is the Ravens’ starting center for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Samac is dealing with an injury. He suffered a fractured fibula at the end of MSU’s regular season and has been rehabbing the injury since. Samac told The News-Heald he expects to be cleared for a contact in “a few weeks.”