As many of you are already aware, this could be the Spartans' best draft performance in recent memory. So I have decided to begin providing a weekly update on ABDFF of how various Spartans are doing in relation to the NFL draft. Folks, these are exciting times. The NFL draft process is young and there is already a lot of good news about the Spartans. Let's start with a list of Spartan seniors and early departures.
So far, most of the news is about the seniors. And you would expect that since we have all these "senior-related" events going on: the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine game, and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Nevertheless, let me just just briefly start with Jerel Worthy. As everyone knows, Worthy has been considered a first-round pick most of the year. He's still considered a first-rounder by most mock drafts. But at one point, guys like ESPN's Todd McShay had him going in the top 15, and now most mock drafts seem to have him going in the bottom half of the first round. I think that once the NFL Scouting Combines get going, Worthy will get his chance to impress and move up into the top 15.
Then we have Kirk Cousins, who seems to be making a big splash at the Senior Bowl camp. About a week or two ago, Mel Kiper Jr. was suggesting that Cousins could go by about the 5th round of the NFL draft. Now we're hearing people (like Sporting News' Russ Lande) talk about Cousins going as high as the 2nd round. That's crazy! Oh no it isn't. I've said it before, Cousins has played at times like a first-rounder -- particularly during the B1G championship game -- and it was only a matter of time before others saw what Spartan fans saw this year. If Cousins does end up going in the second round, don't be surprised to see a significant boost in MSU's quarterback recruiting, as soon as next year.
Then there's BJ Cunningham. In case you missed his touchdown at the East-West Shrine game, here it is. Other than that, there's not much else...except if you think it's a big deal that ESPN's Todd McShay was raving about Cunningham! McShay thinks Cunningham was the best receiver at the practices and that he could end up going in the third round of the draft.
Finally, there's Brian Linthicum, who is playing in the Senior Bowl. According to Tony Pauline at SI.com, Linthicum has been impressive at the Senior Bowl practices: "Brian Linthicum (TE/Michigan State) has really impressed all day. He looked very athletic during opening drills and has made several impressive catches in full scrimmage."
Worthy, Cousins, and Cunningham have garnered most of the early attention, but here's a quick list of some related items:
- Keith Nichol made a nice grab (video) at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
- Kirk Cousins, B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin, Edwin Baker, and Trenton Robinson have all been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
42 Todd Anderson FB 6-2 265 SR Napoleon, Mich. - Napoleon
85 Garrett Celek TE 6-5 252 SR Cincinnati, Ohio - LaSalle
8 Kirk Cousins QB 6-3 205 SR Holland, Mich. - Holland Christian
3 B.J. Cunningham WR 6-2 215 SR Westerville, Ohio - Westerville South
67 Joel Foreman OG 6-4 315 SR Highland, Mich. - Milford
88 Brian Linthicum TE 6-5 245 SR St. Louis, Mo. - Clemson
82 Keshawn Martin WR 5-11 189 SR Inkster, Mich. - John Glenn
75 Jared McGaha OL 6-6 298 SR Powell, Tenn. - Powell
7 Keith Nichol WR 6-2 220 SR Lowell, Mich. - Oklahoma
69 Blake Pacheco DL 6-1 264 SR Salinas, Calif. - Monterey (Calif.) Peninsula College
96 Kevin Pickelman NT 6-4 288 SR Marshall, Mich. - Marshall
73 Arthur Ray Jr. OG 6-3 299 SR Chicago, Ill. - Mount Carmel
39 Trenton Robinson S 5-10 195 SR Bay City, Mich. - Bay City Central
16 Chris D. Rucker WR 5-9 178 SR Detroit, Mich. - Detroit Country Day
20 Kyle Selden P 6-5 199 SR Waterford, Mich. - Our Lady of the Lakes
47 Adam Setterbo FB 6-3 245 SR Spring Lake, Mich. - Spring Lake Senior
81 Brad Sonntag WR 5-8 176 SR Saginaw, Mich. - Nouvel Catholic Central
57 Johnathan Strayhorn DT 6-0 272 SR Detroit, Mich. - Oak Park
4 Edwin Baker RB 5-9 210 JR Highland Park, Mich. - Oak Park
99 Jerel Worthy DT 6-3 310 JR Huber Heights, Ohio – Wayne
So far, most of the news is about the seniors. And you would expect that since we have all these "senior-related" events going on: the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine game, and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Nevertheless, let me just just briefly start with Jerel Worthy. As everyone knows, Worthy has been considered a first-round pick most of the year. He's still considered a first-rounder by most mock drafts. But at one point, guys like ESPN's Todd McShay had him going in the top 15, and now most mock drafts seem to have him going in the bottom half of the first round. I think that once the NFL Scouting Combines get going, Worthy will get his chance to impress and move up into the top 15.
Then we have Kirk Cousins, who seems to be making a big splash at the Senior Bowl camp. About a week or two ago, Mel Kiper Jr. was suggesting that Cousins could go by about the 5th round of the NFL draft. Now we're hearing people (like Sporting News' Russ Lande) talk about Cousins going as high as the 2nd round. That's crazy! Oh no it isn't. I've said it before, Cousins has played at times like a first-rounder -- particularly during the B1G championship game -- and it was only a matter of time before others saw what Spartan fans saw this year. If Cousins does end up going in the second round, don't be surprised to see a significant boost in MSU's quarterback recruiting, as soon as next year.
Then there's BJ Cunningham. In case you missed his touchdown at the East-West Shrine game, here it is. Other than that, there's not much else...except if you think it's a big deal that ESPN's Todd McShay was raving about Cunningham! McShay thinks Cunningham was the best receiver at the practices and that he could end up going in the third round of the draft.
Finally, there's Brian Linthicum, who is playing in the Senior Bowl. According to Tony Pauline at SI.com, Linthicum has been impressive at the Senior Bowl practices: "Brian Linthicum (TE/Michigan State) has really impressed all day. He looked very athletic during opening drills and has made several impressive catches in full scrimmage."
Worthy, Cousins, and Cunningham have garnered most of the early attention, but here's a quick list of some related items:
- Keith Nichol made a nice grab (video) at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
- Kirk Cousins, B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin, Edwin Baker, and Trenton Robinson have all been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
- Trenton Robinson was interviewed by the Detroit Lions.
- Unfortunately, there's not much news on other guys I expect have a good chance to get drafted, guys like Kevin Pickelman (injured), Todd Anderson, and Joel Foreman. But hopefully, these guys will get invited to the NFL Combines, soon.
Leonidas writes on his own blog What Is Your Profession?. In addition to asking what your profession is he has begun writing to cover recruiting for ABDFF in his spare time. You can hit him up at noble.leonidas@gmail.com.
Leonidas writes on his own blog What Is Your Profession?. In addition to asking what your profession is he has begun writing to cover recruiting for ABDFF in his spare time. You can hit him up at noble.leonidas@gmail.com.
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