Michigan State University Athletics
Four Spartans Selected In 2005 NFL Draft
4/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 25, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Four Michigan State seniors - running back DeAndra Cobb, kicker Dave Rayner, defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson and offensive guard William Whitticker - were selected during the second day of the 2005 National Football League Draft that concluded Sunday, April 24. Cobb (Atlanta Falcons) and Rayner (Indianapolis Colts) went back to back in the sixth round, while Vickerson (Miami Dolphins) and Whitticker (Green Bay Packers) were chosen in the seventh round.
Cobb, the No. 27 pick in the sixth round and the No. 201 selection overall, led the Spartans in rushing (728 yards on 96 carries) and all-purpose yards (1,607) in 2004. He averaged a school-record 7.6 yards per carry in 2004. The 5-foot-10, 197-pound 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).
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.
"It's been my dream to play in the NFL since I was a 9-year-old playing Pop Warner football, so I'm excited about having the opportunity to make the roster in Atlanta," Cobb said. "The Falcons expect me to contribute right away on special teams, as a kick returner and perhaps even as a gunner (on punt coverage). I'm going to put my heart and soul into being an impact player.
"Hopefully over time, I can work my way into the playing rotation at running back and play in the same backfield with Michael Vick."
"DeAndra Cobb jumps out at you on tape because he's so explosive," Atlanta President and General Manager Rich McKay said. "At Michigan State, he was primarily a situational running back, but he made his biggest impact as a kickoff returner. Last year, DeAndra had an impressive game running the ball against Michigan. He certainly caught our attention as a return specialist, but we do expect him to compete for playing time as a third-down back."
"DeAndra Cobb blossomed into a quality running back last year," Michigan State head coach John L. Smith said. "DeAndra's challenge in Atlanta is to prove that he's more than a return specialist. He can become a game breaker because of his great explosion and speed."
 Dave Rayner, MSU's all-time leading scorer with 334 points, was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.  | |
Rayner, who became the No. 28 pick in the sixth round and the No. 202 selection overall, 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 earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and media in 2004 after leading the league in scoring with 105 points, converting 22-of-31 field-goal attempts (.710) and all 39 extra-point tries. 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.
He 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.
"I wanted to go to Indianapolis from the get-go - it was my first choice," Rayner said. "I have a chance to play close to home, play for a great team and kick indoors. That sounds like a recipe for success.
"Right now, Indianapolis wants me to focus on becoming the kickoff specialist. I also have a great opportunity to work alongside and learn from one of the best kickers in the league, in Mike Vanderjagt."
"We feel like Dave Rayner is capable of handling the kickoff duties," Indianapolis President Bill Polian said. "Next to Ohio State's Mike Nugent, Dave had the biggest leg in the entire draft. We believe he can make our team as the kickoff man and become a real weapon for us in terms of field position.
"He has the potential to grow into a good field-goal kicker, but right now, he lacks consistency on that front."
"Dave Rayner has a tremendous leg," Smith said. "Now, he needs to impress the Colts with his field-goal 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 professional level. He needs to maintain focus and hit every ball like it's the potential game winner."
 Kevin Vickerson, who led the Spartans in tackles for losses and sacks in 2004, was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. | |
The 6-4, 295-pound Vickerson was the second player chosen in the seventh round and the No. 216 selection overall. He appeared in all 12 games in 2004, including 11 starts at defensive tackle. Vickerson enjoyed a productive senior year, recording career highs in tackles, tackles for losses and sacks. He led the defensive line and ranked seventh overall in tackles, with 46 (31 solos, 15 assists). Vickerson 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).
"I think I can bring some athleticism, toughness and play-making ability to the field," Vickerson said. "I really believe the Dolphins got a steal with this pick, but I'm willing to work and prove myself as a player.
"Coach (Nick) Saban is trying to turn this Miami organization around, and I'm excited about having an opportunity to play a part in helping make it happen."
"Defensive tackle is a position where we need help, so that's why we used the last pick to select Kevin Vickerson," Miami head coach Nick Saban said. "He's a guy that has a lot of ability and a lot of size. Kevin certainly worked out well at the Combine, and we feel like we were fortunate to get him at this point in the draft."
"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. Kevin has a big body, but he's also a pretty good athlete."
 William Whitticker, who led the team with 83 pancake blocks in 2004, was taken by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. | |
Whitticker, the No. 32 pick in the seventh round and the No. 246 selection overall, was a model of consistency in 2004, grading out 90 percent or better in all 12 games at right guard. He was a key figure on an offensive line that helped produce a rushing attack that ranked second in the Big Ten and No. 10 in the NCAA, averaging 238.5 yards per game.
The 6-5, 329-pound Whitticker led the Spartans in pancake blocks with a career best 83. He allowed only one sack in over 350 passing plays in 2004 (MSU permitted the fewest sacks in the Big Ten, eight).
The Marion, Ind., native rated 97 percent in the season finale vs. Hawaii. Whitticker scored a career-best 99 percent vs. Wisconsin, including five pancakes, while helping the Spartans amass 430 yards on the ground. He graded 96 percent each vs. Michigan (career-high 12 pancakes), Illinois (10 pancakes) and Iowa. Whitticker posted 98 percent each vs. Minnesota and Notre Dame (11 pancakes).
A four-year letterman, Whitticker earned 31 career starts and recorded 222 career pancakes.
"I'm really happy about being drafted by the Green Bay Packers," Whitticker said. "This franchise has a great history and it's always been my dream to play for the Packers and at Lambeau Field. I honestly would have pursued Green Bay through free agency if I hadn't been drafted.
"I'm probably better known for my run blocking - getting up and down the field - but I'm also confident in my pass-blocking ability. I played guard mostly in college, but I'll play wherever I can help this team out."
After injuring his left knee (MCL) in the Jan. 22 Las Vegas All-American Classic, Whitticker didn't know how much that setback would impact his draft status.
"I felt I had a chance to go higher in the draft, but I was only about 90 percent at Michigan State's Pro Day (March 19)," he said. "I had a decent workout at Pro Day. My stock certainly would have been higher if I hadn't gotten hurt in the all-star game."
"Will Whitticker's versatility has earned him a shot at playing in the NFL," Smith said. "Will had the ability to play any position along the offensive front: guard, tackle and even center. We felt comfortable playing him anywhere on the offensive line.
"We're excited that he's been given an opportunity to play at the next level."
Additional Spartan NFL Draft Notes . . .
* The last time Michigan State had players selected back to back in the NFL Draft came in 1998 when linebacker Ike Reese (No. 142 overall) and offensive guard Scott Shaw (No. 143 overall) went in succession in the fifth round to Philadelphia and Miami, respectively.
* Dave Rayner becomes the first Spartan placekicker to be drafted since 2000 when Paul Edinger went in the sixth round (No. 174 overall) to the Chicago Bears.
* William Whitticker is the first Spartan offensive lineman to be drafted since 2001 when Siitupe Peko went in the seventh round (No. 217 overall) to the New York Jets.
