Lean year for state teams at NFL draft

JAMES HIGHSMITH

Sports Writer

“With the 13th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Brandon Graham, defensive end from Michigan,” announced NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. And that was pretty much the highlight of the NFL’s three-day draft of collegiate talent for the state of Michigan. It was one of the leanest in recent memory. The draft was so unfriendly, in fact, that only two players who played their college football in the state of Michigan, Brandon Graham of UM and Jared Veldheer of tiny Hillsdale College, were selected in the first three rounds. But while only Graham was drafted early, many other players from the state were drafted in the later rounds, or signed by one of the NFL’s 32 teams after the draft occurred. One of the draft’s biggest surprises was Veldheer, an offensive tackle drafted by the Oakland Raiders. Veldheer certainly has the size to play in the NFL (6-foot-8, 313 pounds), but playing college football at a Division II school probably puts him in the “project” category for the Raiders. He’ll have a lot to learn, quickly, to develop into an NFL lineman. One of the more notable post-draft signings was Donovan Warren, cornerback from Michigan. Warren opted out of playing in his senior season to give the NFL a shot. The choice was heavily criticized by Michigan fans, and the fans proved they were right; Warren wasn’t drafted and instead, signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets. Aside from Brandon Graham, only two other UM players were selected during the NFL draft. Punter Zoltan Mesko, a four-year starter for UM, was selected in the fifth round by the New England Patriots. Mesko will join former UM quarterback Tom Brady on the roster. Safety Stevie Brown was also drafted, but in the seventh round by the Oakland Raiders. Michigan State finished the draft with just one player taken, cornerback Jeremy Ware. He produced good numbers at the combine (running a 4.3 forty-yard dash), and was selected in the seventh round by Oakland. After the draft, when NFL teams are allowed to sign rookies in hopes of finding the next undrafted stud, several local players were added to team rosters. Most notably, Michigan State wide receiver Blair White was signed by the Indianapolis Colts, Michigan running back Brandon Minor signed with the Chicago Bears and Eastern Michigan punter Zach Johnson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

LOCAL PLAYERS DRAFTED/SIGNED BY NFL TEAMS

Michigan: Brandon Graham, DE: Drafted in the first round by the Eagles Zoltan Mesko, P: Drafted in the fifth round by the Patriots Stevie Brown, S: Drafted in the seventh round by the Raiders Brandon Minor, RB: Signed with the Bears Carlos Brown, RB: Signed with the Saints David Moosman, G: Signed with the Cardinals Donovan Warren, CB: Signed with the Jets Greg Mathews, WR: Signed with the Bears Mark Ortmann, T: Signed with the Panthers Michigan State: Jeremy Ware, CB: Drafted in the seventh round by the Raiders Blair White, WR: Signed with the Colts Brett Swenson, K: Signed with the Colts Ross Weaver, CB: Signed with the Dolphins Trevor Anderson, DE: Signed with the Colts Eastern Michigan: Zach Johnson, P: Signed with the Chiefs Central Michigan: Antonio Brown, WR: Drafted in the sixth round by the Steelers Dan LeFevour, QB: Drafted in the sixth round by the Bears Frank Zombo, DE: Signed with the Packers Bryan Anderson, WR: Signed with the Patriots Josh Gordy, CB: Signed with the JaguarsWestern Michigan: Tim Hiller, QB: Signed with the Colts