Michigan State University Athletics
Irvin Selected by Detroit in the Fourth Round
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 18, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Sedrick Irvin, Michigan State's fourth all-time leading rusher with 3,504 yards, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the NFL Draft Sunday. The 6-foot, 225-pound tailback from Miami was the eighth player picked in the fourth round and the No. 103 selection overall.
Irvin, a two-time second-team All-Big Ten selection, rushed for 1,167 yards in 1998 to become only the second player in school history to record three-straight 1,000-yard seasons. He had six 100-yard games in '98, including a season-high 140 yards against Northwestern (28 carries). As a junior, Irvin accounted for 75 percent of MSU's ground attack.
"It certainly has been worth the wait," Irvin said. "Some people around me, like family members and friends, had expectations going into the draft. They had hoped that I'd go in the first or second round. I just wanted a shot and now, the Detroit Lions have given me an opportunity to fulfill my dream. I cried when I got the phone call from Detroit. I would have cried if I had gotten a call in the fifth round because I only want a chance to show people that I can play at the NFL level. I know that I slipped a little in the draft because of my speed but I know that I'm a good football player."
Irvin has been given an opportunity to earn a roster spot along side Detroit's Barry Sanders, the NFL's second-leading all-time ground gainer.
"I'm blessed to be going to Detroit," he said. "God was watching over me. Barry Sanders is an idol of mine. I put his pictures on my wall. Everybody wants to have moves like Barry Sanders. I love those Cadillac commercials he does. If you look at my highlight tapes, I did a poor job of imitating Barry's moves, but I tried. Everybody mentions Barry's name when talking about the NFL's all-time greats and now, I have an opportunity to learn from one of the game's best players. I'm not disappointed about being selected in the fourth round, I've been blessed."
Irvin, who elected to forego his senior season, finished his career ranked among MSU's all-time leaders in rushing touchdowns (second at 35), total touchdowns (second at 42), scoring (fifth at 252 points), all-purpose yards (third at 4,833) and receptions (ninth at 108). He had 15 100-yard games, including a career-best 238 yards against Penn State (28 attempts) in the 1997 regular-season finale. The Spartans went undefeated in his 12 career multi-TD games.
"It's great to go back to the state of Michigan to pursue my dream," Irvin said. "I don't have to go there and win any popularity contests. Half the state cheered for me in college when I played at Michigan State. Now, the other half of the state can cheer for me since I'm playing for their NFL team. I'm sure Michigan State fans are happy with Detroit's pick.
"I had a great experience playing football and attending Michigan State. I spent three great years there and now, it's time for me to write a new chapter in my life down the road in Detroit."
