Five Spartans Audition At 2005 NFL Combine

Feb. 23, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Five Michigan State seniors - running back DeAndra Cobb, defensive end Clifford Dukes, free safety Jason Harmon, placekicker Dave Rayner and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson - are participating in the National Football League's Combine for timing and testing Feb. 23-March 1 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

The 5-foot-10, 197-pound Cobb led the Spartans in rushing (728 on 96 carries) and all-purpose yards (1,607) in 2004. He averaged a school-record 7.6 yards per carry in 2004. Cobb ranked among the Big Ten leaders in all-purpose yards (fifth at 133.9 yards per game), kickoff returns (seventh with his 24.1-yard average) and rushing (ninth at 60.7 ypg.).

He earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors against Hawaii after returning three kickoffs for 111 yards (37.0 avg.). Cobb accounted for 249 all-purpose yards in the season finale against the Warriors, including 128 yards rushing on 16 attempts. It marked Cobb's second career 100-yard rushing game.

Cobb rushed 22 times for a career-best 205 yards vs. Michigan, scoring on runs of 72 and 64 yards. He produced those totals against a Wolverine defense that ranked third in the NCAA against the run, allowing just 71.6 yards per game. Cobb also became just the second back in Spartan history to record a 200-yard rushing game in the MSU-Michigan series, joining T.J. Duckett who picked up 211 yards on 27 attempts in 2001.

He gained a team-best 93 yards on nine carries vs. Illinois and scored the first offensive touchdown of his career on a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter.

The Las Vegas, Nev., native returned five kickoffs for 152 yards (30.4 avg.) vs. Notre Dame, including an 89-yard runback for a touchdown in the third quarter. It marked Cobb's fourth career kickoff return for a score, one shy of the Big Ten record held by Purdue's Stan Brown (1968-70). The NCAA career mark belongs to Southern Cal's Anthony Davis (1972-74), who returned six kickoffs for TDs.

In two seasons, Cobb produced 2,621 all-purpose yards (109.2 ypg.) and eight total TDs. His career 25.5-yard kickoff return average ranks sixth on the Big Ten's all-time list. Cobb also stands third on MSU's all-time chart with 1,632 career kickoff return yards.

"I really wish DeAndra Cobb had another year of eligibility left because he really blossomed into a quality running back last year," Spartan head coach John L. Smith said. "DeAndra will prove to the NFL scouts that he's more than a return specialist. He can become a game breaker because of his great explosion and speed."

Clifford Dukes ranks sixth on MSU's all-time list with 15.5 career sacks. (WireImage)

The 6-3, 258-pound Dukes saw action in all 12 games in 2004, including nine starts at RUSH end. Slowed throughout his senior year by a quad injury, Dukes posted 21 tackles (13 solos, 8 assists), including three tackles for losses (19 yards) and 2.5 sacks (15 yards).

The Lexington Park, Md., native made four stops vs. Illinois, including a sack (6 yards). Dukes recorded a season-high five tackles vs. Indiana, including four solo hits.

Dukes earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches as a junior, registering 57 tackles (36 solos, 21 assists) including seven sacks (32 yards).

A four-year letterman, Dukes appeared in 46 games, including 36 career starts. He recorded 158 career tackles (103 solos, 55 assists), including 20.5 for losses (92 yards). His 15.5 career sacks (79 yards) rank sixth on MSU's all-time list.

"I talked to Clifford Dukes today, and he's excited about going to the NFL Combine because he feels like he's in the best shape of his career," Smith said. "He's finally healthy, so he has a chance to impress the pro scouts with his running and weight-lifting ability. Clifford will turn a lot of heads because he has a good looking body.

"If Clifford excels at the NFL Combine and shows some playmaking ability, the scouts might be willing to overlook his senior year stats. He had a very productive junior year and the scouts may give those totals a lot more weight in the evaluation process."

Jason Harmon led the team in interceptions (3) and ranked third in tackles (105) in 2004.

The 5-11, 202-pound Harmon led the team in interceptions (3 for 19 yards) and ranked third in tackles (105 total: 48 solos, 57 assists) in 2004. It marked the second-straight season that Harmon eclipsed the 100-tackle plateau. He also broke up five passes and recovered two fumbles as a senior.

A native of Ironton, Ohio, Harmon posted double figures in tackles five times in 2004, including 12 stops vs. Wisconsin. He produced 11 tackles each in back-to-back games vs. Iowa and Illinois. Harmon matched his career high with 13 stops vs. Notre Dame. He contributed 10 tackles in the home opener vs. Central Michigan.

A four-year letterman (41 games), Harmon earned 34 career starts, including the last 25 games in a row. He completed his career with 285 tackles (164 solos, 121 assists), nine interceptions (92 yards) and 18 pass break-ups. He reached double digits in tackles 10 times.

"Good safeties are hard to find, so Jason Harmon really has an opportunity to improve his draft position," Smith said. "Jason has already impressed the pro scouts with his physical style of play. He's a decent athlete, but most importantly, he's a smart player."

Dave Rayner ranks as MSU's all-time leader in scoring (334 career points), field goals (62 made) and extra points (148 made). (WireImage)

Rayner, a second-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media in 2004, ranks as MSU's all-time leader in scoring (334 career points), field goals (62 made) and extra points (148 made). In 2004, he became only the 14th player in Big Ten history to reach the 300-point milestone.

The 6-2, 209-pound Rayner led the Big Ten in scoring with 105 points, converting 22-of-31 field-goal attempts (.710) and all 39 extra-point tries in 2004. His 22 field goals ranked fourth in the NCAA and matched MSU's single-season record. Rayner kicked extremely well down the stretch, hitting 13 of his last 17 field-goal attempts (.765) over the last six games. He also converted his last 76 extra-point attempts in a row.

Rayner was selected one of the Lou Groza Award's Top Three Stars for Week 11 after scoring 13 points vs. Ohio State, providing four field goals and an extra point. He converted 4-of-5 field-goal attempts against the Buckeyes, hitting from 27, 44, 53 and 29 yards. His 53-yarder in the third quarter matched his career long.

The Oxford, Mich., native earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice in 2004 (vs. Minnesota and Indiana).

Rayner scored 15 points against the Golden Gophers, matching his career high. He was perfect on three field-goal attempts - converting from 22, 23 and 37 yards - and six extra-point tries. Four of his nine kickoffs vs. Minnesota also resulted in touchbacks.

He was perfect on three field-goal (44, 22 and 39 yards) and three extra-point attempts to account for 12 points vs. Indiana, while six of his seven kickoffs produced touchbacks.

For the second year in a row, Rayner was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top placekicker by the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sports Commission.

Rayner is one of only 10 kickers (placekickers and punters) invited to attend the 2005 NFL Combine.

"Dave Rayner has a tremendous leg," Smith said. "Now, Dave needs to impress the scouts with his accuracy.

"Dave improved a great deal from his junior to senior year. He really matured as a competitor, taking every kick seriously. That's something Dave will have to continue to show at the NFL Combine. He needs to maintain focus and hit every ball like it's the potential game winner."

Kevin Vickerson enjoyed a productive senior year, recording career highs in tackles (46), tackles for losses (10.5) and sacks (4.5).

The 6-4, 295-pound Vickerson appeared in all 12 games in 2004, including 11 starts at defensive tackle. He enjoyed a productive senior year, recording career highs in tackles, tackles for losses and sacks. Vickerson led the defensive line and ranked seventh overall in tackles, with 46 (31 solos, 15 assists). He also paced the Spartans in tackles for losses (10.5 for 39 yards), sacks (4.5 for 29 yards) and quarterback hits (7; tied Clifton Ryan for the team lead).

The Detroit, Mich., native registered seven stops vs. Wisconsin, including a sack (6 yards). Vickerson recorded eight tackles each vs. Notre Dame and Rutgers, matching his career high (vs. Minnesota, 2002). He produced a career-best four tackles for losses (6 yards) against the Irish.

A four-year letterman, Vickerson saw action in 45 games, including 19 starting assignments. He finished his career with 119 tackles (81 solos, 38 assists), including 24.5 for losses (99 yards) and 8.5 sacks (58 yards).

"Kevin Vickerson had a very productive senior year," Smith said. "Kevin really grew up a lot last season, becoming a more disciplined football player. He knew his responsibilities and consistently played with the proper technique.

"NFL teams are always looking for quality defensive linemen. Kevin has a big body but he's also a pretty good athlete. It's important for Kevin to prove to the pro scouts that he's serous about the game."

The 2005 NFL Draft will be conducted April 23-24.