The 5 Best Michigan State Spartans in Pro Sports Today? What do you think?

Colleges and Universities can brag about great sports teams all they want. The real proof is in the pros. If your athletic department is truly top notch then it

Colleges and Universities can brag about great sports teams all they want. The real proof is in the pros. If your athletic department is truly top notch then it transforms up-and-coming athletes into professional superstars. What about Michigan State? Well, the Spartans don't disappoint. Here's a look at the top 5 Michigan State athletes currently playing (or competing) today:

By Rich Bergeron

1. Antonio Gates

NFL Tight End Antonio Gates will wind up in the Hall of Fame whenever his storied football career ends. Though he later transferred to a college that would permit him to play both basketball and football, he began his collegiate career at Michigan State. Nick Saban was the Spartans football coach when Gates attended. Saban told the future superstar that he wanted him to play only football at the school. Rather than give up one of his passions, Gates spent the bulk of his college days at other schools, ultimately graduating from Kent State. Though he didn’t end up getting a shot to play in the NBA, Kent State retired his basketball number (44) on Feb. 27, 2010, which made him just the fourth Golden Flash to receive the honor.

So far, Gates has played 147 NFL games in which he caught 642 passes for 8,321 yards and 83 touchdowns. He’s been with the San Diego Chargers since his 2003 rookie season, and he’s made the team better each and every year he’s been at full strength.

2. Plaxico Burress

Burress was the 8th overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers -- where he would play five seasons. While the team was unable to sign him back right away after he became a free agent (upon serving out his incarceration on gun charges), the Steelers did secure his services near the end of last season. Burress has spent the remainder of his NFL career with the New York Giants (2005-2008) and New York Jets (2011). Despite off the field issues and multiple fines and suspensions, when he’s focused on playing the game he’s an extremely valuable asset to any offense he plays for. He has 553 career receptions, 8,499 receiving yards, 64 touchdowns, and one Super Bowl ring (Super Bowl XLII with the Giants).

Burress caught 65 passes in his freshman year at Michigan State. He ranks third in career touchdown catches (20), third in receptions (131), and fourth in receiving yards (2,155) in just two seasons at Michigan State. He also set multiple school records during his two years of play there.

3. Flozell Adams

Though Adams played his most recent NFL season in 2010 with Pittsburgh, he never officially retired (thus considered active) and could wind up playing for another team before he ultimately calls it a career. He is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a 2007 All-Pro. He started 194 games in the NFL and recovered 10 fumbles. Prior to his most recent season with the Steelers, he played from 1998 to 2009 with the Dallas Cowboys, developing into a powerhouse left tackle under the tutelage of Head Coach Bill Parcells.

Adams also excelled under the guidance of Michigan State Head Football Coach Nick Saban. According to Wikipedia: “His massive size (6-foot-7, 335-pounds) earned him the nickname “The Hotel,” and served him well as a three-year starter (2 at right tackle and 1 at left tackle). After earning Honorable mention All-Big Ten in 1995, he went on to develop into one of the best offensive linemen in the nation. As a junior in 1996, he was a second team All-Big Ten selection. As a senior in 1997, he received All-America honors, was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and was a semi-finalist for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award. He also was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl.”

4. Rashad Evans

Here's a guy who doesn't reside in one of America's Big 3 sports. Rashad Evans (18-3-1) is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2 as a heavyweight. He won his UFC belt in December of 2008 in a bout with Forrest Griffin. He would lose it in his first defense against Lyoto Machida, but he’s been a fixture in the UFC throughout the last few years. He won his last bout by split decision against MMA Legend Dan Henderson at UFC 161 in June.

Evans was an accomplished NCAA Division 1 Wrestler for Michigan State, He finished his career there with a record of 48 wins and 34 losses. During his tenure he faced multiple future UFC and MMA stars including: Jacob Volkmann, Gerald Harris, and Josh Koscheck.

5. Shannon Brown

Brown went to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 25th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft. He's known for quick moves off the dribble -- and incredible explosiveness above the rim. When he was playing with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, he routinely had highlight-reel dunks that were among the best in the NBA. While he's not a perfect basketball player, his raw skills are unmatched. If he can learn to shoot a mid-range jumper, he would be unstoppable. Brown is now with his 5th NBA team: The Phoenix Suns. Prior to joining the Suns and subsequent to leaving Cleveland, Brown played for the Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats, and aforementioned Lakers. Over 374 games played, he’s averaged 8.1 points per game and owns an .811 free throw percentage. He also played 55 playoff games where he averaged 5.2 points per game.

He was second-team All-Big Ten as a junior and an All-Big Ten Defensive selection at Michigan State. He played for the Spartans from 2003-2006.