Eight MAC Players Taken In NFL Draft

A league record five players taken in first three rounds. Central Michigan's Joe Staley (OL) and Dan Bazuin (DE) selected in first and second rounds, respectively.

Apr 30, 2007

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Joe Staley, CMU and San Francisco 49ers.

Eight MAC Players Taken In NFL Draft

With a MAC record five players taken in the first three rounds of the 2007 NFL draft, the league had eight of its best selected overall in this year's selection process. The eight picks are the second most in the last fours years, behind the 11 players selected in 2005.

Central Michigan left tackle Joe Staley became the first MAC player since 2004 to be taken in the first-round of the NFL draft when the San Francisco 49ers tabbed the All-MAC player with the 28^th overall pick Saturday afternoon.

Staley, who began his career as a tight end before shifting to the offensive line, is the first MAC offensive lineman to be drafted in the first round since L.J. Shelton of Eastern Michigan was tabbed No. 21 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 1999.

Dan Bazuin, a defensive end and Staley’s teammate from Central Michigan, was the second MAC player selected when he was picked in the second round and No. 62 overall by the NFC Champion Chicago Bears. Bazuin is a three-time first-team All-MAC selection, the 2005 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and a 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American. Bazuin was the highest selected MAC defensive end since Jason Babin of Western Michigan was the No. 27 overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2004.

A third MAC player taken on the opening day was Kent State cornerback Usama Young. A two-time All-MAC honoree, Young was picked No. 66 overall by the New Orleans Saints. Young’s selection was the highest for a MAC defensive back since Marshall’s Rogers Becket was taken No. 43 overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2000.

Akron right guard Andy Alleman became the fourth MAC selection when New Orleans got him with the No. 88 overall pick. Alleman played defensive end for two years at Pitt before transferring to Akron and helping the Zips win the 2005 MAC Championship, the first in school history.

Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe, a three-time MAC rushing leader, was taken in the third round and No. 93 overall by the Chicago Bears. Wolfe ran for 1,928 yards and 18 touchdowns his senior season, and for 5,164 career yards and 52 touchdowns. Wolfe was the 2006 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and won the MAC's Vern Smith Leadership Award.

In 2004 the MAC had two first round selections with Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger selected No. 11 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Western Michigan defensive end Jason Babin was tabbed No. 27 overall by the Houston Texans.

Miami wide receiver and punt return specialist Ryne Robinson was the sixth MAC player tabbed. The Carolina Panthers chose Robisnon in the fourth round, 118^th overall. Robinson finished his career with seven punt returns for a touchdown as well as 258 receptions for 3,697 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Northern Illinois offensive lineman Doug Free became the seventh MAC player taken in this year’s draft when the Dallas Cowboys picked the 6-7, 318 pound All-MAC selection in the fourth round with the 122^nd overall pick.

Central Michigan had its third player picked when center/guard Drew Mormino was selected 199^th overall, 25^th in the sixth round, by the Miami Dolphins. Mormino started each of his four years for the Chippewas, the 2004-04 seasons at guard and the 2005-06 campaigns at center. He was an All-MAC selection in 2006 for the MAC Championship team.

2007 MAC Draft Selections

R1, 28^th overall – Joe Staley, Central Michigan OL, San Francisco

R 2, 62^nd overall – Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan, DE, Chicago

R 3 66^th overall – Usama Young, Kent State, CB, New Orleans

R 3 88^th overall – Andy Allema, Akron, OL, New Orleans

R 3 93^rd overall – Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois, TB, Chicago

R 4 118^th overall – Ryne Robinson, Miami, WR/PR, Carolina

R 4 122^nd overall – Doug Free, Northern Illinois, OL, Dallas

R 6 199^th overall – Drew Mormino, Central Michigan, C/G, Miami

MAC DRAFT QUICK NOTES

The five MAC players selected in the first three rounds are the most players taken in the first three rounds of the NFL draft in MAC history. In addition, the seven MAC players taken in the first four rounds are also the most ever in the first four rounds of the NFL draft.

In the last three NFL drafts, nine of the 25 MAC players selected were offensive lineman.

For the first time since 2002, a MAC quarterback was not drafted. From 2003-06, the MAC had a total of six quarterbacks drafted.

Miami had a player drafted for the fourth consecutive year, the longest active streak by any program in the MAC. Akron has had a player drafted in each of the last three years.

Central Michigan was the first MAC team to have three players drafted since Ball State had three players picked in 2005.