NFL Draft Tabs A Near Record 10 MAC Players

Ten Mid-American Conference players were taken in the 2009 NFL draft, the second most in league history since the draft went to seven rounds in 1998 (11 in 2005). Three selections came on the first day (Saturday) with the remainder picked today. A complete breakdown follows.

 

DAY 1 (Rounds 1-2)

 

Larry English – Northern Illinois, defensive end

First round, 16^th overall, by San Diego

A two-time winner of the league’s Vern Smith Leadership Award as voted by MAC head coaches ... 31.5 career sacks and 61 career tackles for a loss ... a three-time, first-team all-MAC selection ... helped the Huskies to two bowl games in the last three seasons ... view English’s draft page here.

 

 

Louis Delmas – Western Michigan, safety

Second round, 33^rd overall, by Detroit

Had a team-high 111 tackles in 2008 as the Broncos won nine games and played in the Texas Bowl ... 310 career tackles ... a four-year starter who began his collegiate career at cornerback ... view Delmas’ draft page here.

 

  

Michael Mitchell – Ohio, strong safety

Second round – 47^th overall, by Oakland

Can play either safety spot ... in 2008 had 62 tackles and 4.5 tackles for a loss ... also had three interceptions and five pass break ups in 11 starts ... view Mitchell’s draft page here

 

 

DAY 2 (Rounds 3-7)

 

Terrance Knighton – Temple, defensive tackle

Third Round – 72^nd overall, by  Jacksonville

A three-year starter for the Owls ... became Temple’s first-ever, first-team All-MAC selection in 2008 ... averaged 58 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss and four pass break ups the last three seasons ... view Knighton’s draft page here. 

 

Robert Brewster – Ball State, offensive tackle

Third Round – 75^th overall, by Dallas

A four-year starter for the Cardinals ... an All-MAC selection in 2008 in helping the Cardinals to a 12-2 record ... blocked for the league’s passing and rushing leader ... Cardinals reached a ranking of No. 12 in the regular season, their best in school history ... view Brewster’s draft page here.   

 

T.J. Lang – Eastern Michigan, offensive tackle

Fourth Round – 109^th overall, by Green Bay

Originally came to EMU as a defensive lineman ...started 36 consecutive games ... is the first offensive player from EMU to be drafted since 2003 (WR Kevin Walter) ... an All-MAC selection in 2008 ... view Lang’s draft page here

 

Nate Davis – Ball State, quarterback

Fifth Round – 171^st overall, by San Francisco

Led the MAC in passing efficiency the last three years as a freshman, sophomore and junior before bypassing his senior season ... the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 as he led BSU to a 12-2 record ... view Davis’ draft page here.

 

E.J. Biggers – Western Michigan, corner back

Seventh Round – 217^th overall, by Tampa Bay

A two-year starter ... helped WMU to a nine-win season and a berth in the Texas Bowl ... his 2008 stats show 62 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass break ups, a blocked kick, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery ... view Biggers draft page here

 

Julian Edelman – Kent State, quarterback

Seventh Round – 232^nd overall, by New England

A dual-threat with his passing and rushing skills ... rushed for 1,370 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry ... passed for 1,820 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2008 ... view Edelman’s draft page here.

 

Jake O’Connell – Miami, tight end

Seventh round, 237^th overall, by Kansas City

Caught 25 passes for 258 yards, an average of 10.3 yards per catch ... his selection gives the RedHawks program at least one draft selection in five of the last six years ...view O’Connell’s draft page here.

 

 

MAC Draft Notes

This is the first time in MAC history that three defensive players have been taken in the first two rounds.

 

For the second year in a row, a DE was the first MAC player taken in the draft (2008, Jason Jones, Eastern Michigan, second round and 54^th overall by Tennessee).

 

English was the first NIU defensive player taken since the Huskies rejoined the MAC in 1998.

 

Delmas was the first Bronco drafted since 2006 when WR Greg Jennings (Green Bay, 52^nd) and TE Tony Scheffler (Denver, 61^st) both went in the second round.

 

Mitchell’s selections gives the Bobcats two defensive picks in successive drafts (DT Landon Cohen, 216^th overall, seventh round by Detroit in 2008).

 

The 10 selections this year are the second most since the NFL went to a seven-round draft. In 2005 the MAC had 11 players selected.

 

The MAC last had two quarterbacks drafted in 2006 when Omar Jacobs of Bowling Green (fifth round, 164 overall by Pittsburgh) and Bruce Gradkowski of Toledo (sixth round, 194 overall, by Tampa Bay) were taken.