Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Invade Indy for NFL Combine
2/24/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 24, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Seven Michigan State players - wide receiver Plaxico Burress, outside linebacker Julian Peterson, defensive end Robaire Smith, wide receiver Gari Scott, offensive tackle Greg Robinson-Randall, strong safety Aric Morris and quarterback Bill Burke - have been invited to attend the National Football League's Combine for timing and testing Feb. 24-28 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.
Both Burress and Peterson are projected as first-round picks by most NFL Draft experts, including ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., Pro Football Weekly's Joel Buchsbaum and The Sporting News' Dan Pompei. The last time Michigan State had two players selected in the first round was 1989 when Green Bay drafted Tony Mandarich (No. 2 overall) and Indianapolis chose Andre Rison (No. 22).
Burress (6-6, 222), a second-team All-America selection by The Football News in 1999, set Spartan single-season records for receptions (66), receiving yards (1,142) and touchdown receptions (12). He earned Florida Citrus Bowl MVP honors after catching 13 passes for 185 yards and three TDs in Michigan State's 37-34 victory over Florida. A first-team All-Big Ten pick, he had a school single-game record 255 yards receiving (10 catches) in MSU's 34-31 win over Michigan. Burress became the first Spartan player ever to record two 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in receptions (fourth at 131), receiving yards (fourth at 2,155) and TD catches (tied for second at 20). Burress had seven career 100-yard receiving games, including three in '99.
Burress, who elected to forego his senior season, has been penciled in as Baltimore's draft pick, No. 5 overall, by Kiper, Buchsbaum and Pompei.
"Plaxico Burress is the second-best wide receiver in the NFL Draft, behind Florida State's Peter Warrick, and the fifth-best overall player on the board," Kiper said.
"I think his performance at the NFL Combine is critical for him. All the scouts will get a chance to see how realistic the computer numbers are for him plus they'll have the opportunity to evaluate his physical skills. A lot of teams will be giving him a close look but his best fit might be Baltimore because the Ravens would love to add a big receiver to the lineup."
Peterson (6-4, 237), a first-team All-America pick by the Football News, produced a school single-season record 30 tackles for losses (140 yards) in '99, including 15 sacks (104 yards). He earned Defensive MVP honors in the Florida Citrus Bowl after recording eight tackles, including five for losses (32 yards), against the Gators. Despite playing only two seasons, the Hillcrest, Md., native set a Spartan career record with 48 tackles for losses (215 yards). His 25 career sacks (161 yards) rank second on MSU's all-time list.
Peterson improved his stock for the upcoming NFL Draft with his performance in the Jan. 22 Senior Bowl, recording two sacks (17 yards) and intercepting a pass (20-yard return). In fact, three NFL Draft experts - including Buchsbaum (No. 15), Kiper (No. 21) and Pompei (No. 23) - project Peterson to be a mid-to-late first-round selection.
"Julian Peterson really helped himself with his play in the Senior Bowl," Kiper said. "He had a good week of practice in Mobile and then made some spectacular plays in the game.
"He's a smooth athlete, with a frame that impresses a lot of people. Peterson makes a lot of things happen as a pass-rusher but he also can drop back into coverage and make plays.
"I have him rated as the third-best true outside linebacker in the draft. He's being pursued by Green Bay (No. 15 pick), Kansas City (No. 21) and Carolina (No. 23)."
Scott (6-1, 197) finished third on the team in receptions with 30 for 483 yards (16.1 avg.) and six touchdowns in '99. He ranked among the Big Ten leaders in punt returns (third with 13.2 avg.) and all-purpose yards (10th with 100.0 ypg.). The Lake Park, Fla., native is listed among MSU's career leaders in receptions (third with 134), receiving yards (sixth with 2,095) and TD catches (fourth with 18). Scott shattered MSU's career record for punt returns with 1,088 yards, breaking the previous mark by 468 yards. He accounted for 3,979 career all-purpose yards, good for eighth on MSU's all-time list.
"Gari Scott is a guy that you hope doesn't get lost in the shuffle," Kiper said. "There's great depth at wide receiver this year. In fact, I think this is the best group of receivers to enter the draft since 1996.
"Scott has good hands and he's a good route runner but he doesn't have 4.4 speed. At one time, I had him rated as high as a second- or third-round pick but now, I project him as a third- to fifth-rounder."
The Sporting News projects Scott as a late fourth-round pick.
Robinson-Randall (6-6, 312) started 22-straight games at right tackle for the Spartans. The Hitchcock, Texas, native earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in '99. Robinson-Randall graded out a career-best 86 percent, with 10 production points, in MSU's 23-7 win over Ohio State. He scored 82 percent against Michigan, including a season-high 12 production points.
"Greg Robinson-Randall is an interesting guy," Kiper said. "He has a chance to make it at the next level because he has some raw skills. He's definitely a second-day guy, going anywhere from the fourth-to-seventh round."
The Sporting News rates Robinson-Randall as a likely fourth-round selection.
Smith (6-5, 278), a first-team All-Big Ten selection, finished second on the team in tackles for losses (14 for 81 yards) and sacks (eight for 71). The Flint, Mich., native ranks among Michigan State's all-time leaders in tackles for losses (fourth with 38 for 169 yards) and sacks (fifth with 22 for 140).
"Robaire Smith had a solid but not a great college career," Kiper said. "He was a steady college player but never really established himself as a difference maker. There's a lot of depth at the defensive end position. Some draft analysts project Smith as a second-rounder but I see him going in either the fourth or fifth round."
The Sporting News lists Smith among the top 10 defensive ends in the draft and projects him as a likely third-round selection.
Morris (5-11, 209), who was voted team MVP by his teammates, led the Spartans and ranked third in the Big Ten with 132 tackles. The second-team All-Big Ten selection reached double figures in tackles eight times, including 10 stops against Florida in the Florida Citrus Bowl. The Oak Park, Mich., native recorded a career-high 19 tackles each vs. Wisconsin and Oregon. Morris had two interceptions in '99, including one he returned 76 yards for a touchdown at Purdue. A three-year starter, he ranks sixth on MSU's all-time tackles chart with 350.
Morris was invited to played in the Senior Bowl but declined the offer after undergoing surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee following the Florida Citrus Bowl.
"Aric Morris is a classic overachiever," Kiper said. "He had a very productive senior year and made a ton of plays. You look at his size and speed, and he doesn't generate great computer numbers, but historically, the safety position has provided some real surprises. Guys like Eugene Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) and Victor Green (New York Jets) and former pro Nesby Glasgow came out of literally nowhere to have great careers. Robinson and Green were signed as undrafted free agents coming out of college.
"I really think Morris and Minnesota's Tyrone Carter enter the draft in similar situations. Morris is a likely late-round pick, fifth or sixth round or perhaps even a free agent, but don't count him out."
The Sporting News rates Morris among the top 10 safeties in the draft and projects him as a likely fourth-round pick.
Burke (6-5, 205) completed 173-of-312 throws for 2,214 yards and a Spartan single-season record 20 touchdowns in 1999. He closed out his collegiate career by throwing for 257 yards (21-of-35 passing) and three scores vs. Florida. Burke threw for a school single-game record 400 yards (21-of-36) and two TDs against Michigan. He had 12 career 200-yard passing games, including five in '99, and compiled a 17-9 record in 26 career starts. Burke ranks among MSU's all-time passing leaders in attempts (third at 766), completions (fourth at 416), completion percentage (seventh at .543), yards (third at 5,463) and TD passes (first at 46).
"Bill Burke developed into a good college quarterback," Kiper said. "He's not a flashy player but he played well in some big games. Burke could be a late-round pick or his best opportunity may came as a free agent. Burke has the potential to become a back-up QB in the NFL."
The NFL Draft will be conducted April 15-16 in New York City.
