News and Notes for 5/2/12:
Idaho
University of Idaho linebacker Korey Toomer was taken in the fifth round of the 2012 National Football League draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Toomer had decided instead of waiting anxiously at his family home in Las Vegas, he would join his mother, Pamelisa Travis, and girlfriend, Carrie Ojeda, for breakfast. While he was waiting in line, his phone rang. It was the Seahawks.
“They asked me if I wanted to be a Seahawk and I said yes,” said Toomer, who admitted to missing the first call from Seattle because he couldn’t get to his phone in time. “I was shocked. I didn’t think they were going to pick up another linebacker.”
Seattle was one of Toomer’s favorite places as he was whisked across the country to be weighed and measured by various NFL teams prior to the draft. The call put the thoughts of breakfast out of his mind.
“I didn’t want to eat,” he said. “I was ready to go work out more than anything else.”
Toomer joined the Vandals in 2009 and redshirted in 2010 with a broken hand. He started at linebacker for the Vandals last season and took a few snaps at fullback – where he was an immediate hit. He scored three touchdowns against San Jose State and a two-point conversion. Toomer was the Vandals’ sack and tackles-for-loss leader with four sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss. He totaled 68 tackles for the season.
Toomer returns to Moscow next week and will graduate the following week.
“God blessed me,” Toomer said. “I give him all the credit.”
http://www.govandals.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87195&SPID=10352&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=17100&ATCLID=205421315
Three linemen and running back Princeton McCarty are the latest Vandals headed to the NFL after signing free agent contracts over the weekend. In addition to McCarty, who is going to Carolina, Tyrone Novikoff signed with Dallas, Michael Cosgrove signed with Detroit and Matt Cleveland signed with Cleveland.
McCarty, a running back from Bakersfield, Calif., accumulated 2,245 yards rushing and 3,366 all-purpose yards during his Vandal career. He leaves Idaho as ranked seventh on the all-time rushing list, all-time all-purpose yardage list, and all-time all-purpose plays (515) list. He had a career-high 160 rushing yards at New Mexico State in 2008 - an effort that led to a career-high 236 all-purpose yards.
Novikoff, an offensive tackle from Curlew, Wash., started every game (25) during the last two seasons. He played in a total 46 games, which includes Idaho's 2009 Humanitarian Bowl Championship game. The 2010 Vandal offense finished third in the WAC and 10th nationally in passing offense and third-down conversions.
Cleveland, an offensive tackle from Kent, Wash., missed his freshman season with an injury but went on to start 38 consecutive games, which includes the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl Championship. He earned second-team all-WAC honors as a senior and scored a touchdown when he recovered a fumble vs. Hawai`i. He joined Novikoff in paving the way for the Vandal offense's successes in 2009 and 2010. He was the only underclassmen to start on the 2009 unit, which was ranked second-most improved pass offense in the nation and sixth nationally in pass efficiency as well as fourth in tackles-for-loss allowed.
Cosgrove in a defensive tackle from Las Vegas, Nev., and was a key part of the defensive line from the time he earned a full-time starting role late in his redshirt freshman season. He finishes his Vandal career with 111 total tackles, which includes 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also had 13 quarterback hurries.
http://www.govandals.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87195&SPID=10352&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=17100&ATCLID=205421760
Louisiana Tech
RUSTON, La. - Four former Louisiana Tech players signed free agent contracts with four different NFL teams Saturday following the conclusion of the NFL Draft.
Linebacker Adrien Cole signed with the Chicago Bears, defensive lineman Matt Broha signed with the New York Giants, running back Lennon Creer signed with the Washington Redskins and cornerback Terry Carter signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
All four players are expected to report to their respective team camps within the next two weeks.
Cole was named the 2011 WAC Defensive Player of the Year as he led the Tech defense with 128 total tackles. He registered a team-leading 13 tackles for a loss of 49 yards which included two sacks for a loss of 15 yards with five pass break-ups and four quarterback hurries. A native of Mobile, Ala., Cole forced one fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked three kicks last season in 13 games played.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to continue playing football at the highest level,” Cole said. “Coach [Jeff] Koonz had a friend on the Chicago Bears staff and he told them about me. That has provided me with a good opportunity to come in and possibly make the team up there. I am looking forward to getting that adventure started.”
Matt Broha totaled 45 tackles in the 2011 campaign with 9.5 tackles for a loss of 55 yards including 7.5 sacks for a loss of 49 yards. Broha was credited with a team-leading eight quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles while also breaking up two passes in 13 games played.
“I got the call right after the last pick of the seventh round," explained Broha. It was the scout that I talked to at our pro day in Ruston. He said the team and he was really excited to sign me and glad to have the opportunity to bring me up. The Giants are the reigning Super Bowl champs so it is a big honor to be allowed to sign with them. It is a big opportunity for me and I hope to make the best of it.”
Lennon Creer played in 10 games last fall, running 198 times for 838 yards and nine touchdowns. Averaging 4.2 yards per carry, he led the team in rushing the entire season and his nine touchdowns on the year was eclipsed by only three scores by the rest of Tech’s ground game. Creer also caught 18 passes for 93 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per catch and adding another touchdown to his credit from the air.
Carter recorded 61 total tackles in 13 games played at corner back in 2011 with 2.5 tackles coming for a loss of five yards. His lone interception of the year was returned 22 yards for a touchdown at Utah State in what many consider to be the turning point in that game, part of Louisiana Tech’s seven game winning streak that led to a Western Athletic Conference Championship. Carter led the Bulldogs with 11 pass break-ups while also forcing one fumble and recovering a fumble.
“I am really happy about signing because most people don’t get the opportunity to do sign with any team. I am fortunate, if anything. At first I was disappointed about not getting drafted but after thinking on it a little, I realized I have this great opportunity.”
“The Steelers’ scout called me and said they might draft me in the sixth or seventh rounds,” Carter explained. “But he said if that didn’t happen they would definitely offer me a contract. Their head coach, defensive coordinator and the scout all liked me.”
Cole, Broha, Creer and Carter are four more additions to an already impressive list of former Bulldogs that have played in the NFL. Prior to their signings, Louisiana Tech has had 59 players go on to play in the NFL with three former Bulldogs – Terry Bradshaw, Fred Dean and Willie Roaf – enshrined or about to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ten Bulldogs have gone on to win a total of 15 Super Bowl rings including Bradshaw’s four Super Bowl titles with the Steelers in the late 1970s.
http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042912aaa.html
New Mexico State
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Former NM State defensive back Jonte Green was selected by the Detroit Lions as the No. 196 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Saturday afternoon. Green becomes the second NM State football player in as many years to be drafted by an NFL team.
"I'm really excited, God is good right now it is a blessing to keep playing football," Green said. "I want to thank coach Walker too. He made me the player I am today."
Green (St. Petersburg, Fla.) recorded 70 tackles on the season and led the team with 14 pass break-ups on the season, which ranked him second in the WAC. Green also grabbed two interceptions on the year, along with one forced fumble. Green tallied his first career interception of his career against Louisiana Tech and then grabbed his second in his final game as an Aggie against Utah State. Green ended his career with NM State with 218 tackles, 32 pass break-ups and two interceptions.
http://www.nmstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=9528&SPID=583&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205421128&DB_OEM_ID=1900
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Former NM State safety Donyae Coleman and wide receiver/kick returner Taveon Rogers each signed a free agent contact Saturday evening to continue their football careers. Coleman signed with the Arizona Cardinals, while Rogers signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Coleman (Lynwood, Calif.) led the Aggies in tackles with 133 in 2011, while leading the team and the league in interceptions with six. Coleman also led the league in fumble recoveries with three, while tallying seven pass break-ups and three forced fumbles. On the season, Coleman had seven double-digit tackle games, including two games with 23 tackles or more. Coleman ended his career with 232 tackles, 17 pass break-ups, six interceptions, three forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.
"It was a long emotional day but when the draft was over an hour later I got the call," Coleman said. "I was so happy and thanked God for all the things he has done for me."
Rogers (Lancaster, Calif.) was the team's leading kick returner with 1,318 yards and three touchdowns. He leaves NM State as the all-time leader in kick returns for a career (103), kick return yardage (2,728) and most kick returns for a touchdown (3). He also led the nation in all-purpose yards per game with 196.3, which leads the league. Rogers also led the Aggies in receiving in 2011 with 59 catches for 1,048 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 17.8 yards a catch and 87.3 yards a game. Against Fresno State, Rogers recorded a school record 412 all-purpose yards. For his career, Rogers caught 77 passes for 1,326 yards and 11 touchdowns at wide receiver.
"I'm very humbled and blessed to be able to continue my football career," Rogers said. "This is a great opportunity and I look forward to being a member of the Bengals."
http://www.nmstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=9528&SPID=583&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205421531&DB_OEM_ID=1900
Texas State
“Dallas and the Texans also contacted me, but we felt my best opportunity was to sign with Jacksonville,” said Hall. “It was an exciting and surreal moment for me. It is a life-long dream that has come true. “
Hall has signed to play both guard and center for the Jaguars after starting 47 consecutive games at right guard for the Bobcats. A two-time FCS All-American guard for the Bobcats, Hall was chosen as one of the Top 10 FCS offensive linemen by The Sports Network in 2010 and 2011. As a senior, Hall was chosen a Second-Team All-American by The Sports Network and a Third-Team All-American by Phil Steele after totaling 77.5 knockdown blocks, having seven blocks 10 or more yards down the field. Hall graded out at 88 percent or better in seven games in 2011. In his junior campaign, he earned Third-Team All-American honors by the Associated Press and Fourth-Team honors by Phil Steele.
Hall also was named a FCS All-Independent selection last season after earning All-Southland Conference honors three times. He also served as a team captain and earned Texas State's John O'Hara Memorial Offensive Lineman of the Year award for each of the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Hall also earned a bachelor's degree in business management at Texas State last December.
http://www.txstatebobcats.com/news/2012/4/30/FB_0430125530.aspx
Utah State
LOGAN, Utah - Former Utah State football player Bobby Wagner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 47 pick overall, the 15th selection of the second round of the National Football League Draft Friday night.
"It's a great feeling," Wagner said. "I'm excited to be on the Seahawks, and I can't wait to get up there and get to work. I'm also very glad to remain on the West Coast."
Wagner was at home with his family in Ontario, Calif., when he got the call from the Seahawks. One of the scouts made the call to Wagner, then handed the phone to Seahawks' head coach Pete Carroll.
"We got the phone call right before the pick and I got to tell them and everybody screamed. When my name went on the screen, everybody screamed again," Wagner said.
http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042712aac.html
LOGAN, Utah - Former Utah State football players Robert Turbin and Michael Smith were selected by teams in the National Football League Draft Saturday. Turbin was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 11th pick of the fourth round and the 106th overall pick, while Smith was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the fifth pick of the seventh round and the 212th overall selection.
"It felt good to get the call. I'm happy get drafted and excited to be a Seahawk," Turbin said.
Turbin was home in Fremont, Calif., watching with his family when he got the call from the Seahawks organization. Turbin will reunite with former Aggie teammate Bobby Wagner, who was drafted by the Seahawks in the second round Friday night.
"It is going to be a blast. Bobby and I are good friends," Turbin said. "It is going to be good to be teammates again."
Smith also was with his family, in his hometown of Tucson, Ariz., when the Buccaneers called him with the good news.
"It is a great opportunity. I am glad to be a Buccaneer. I went out to visit them earlier in the month. They said they loved me. They got a new coaching staff, and I am very excited to play for them," Smith said.
Part of Smith's watch party included his fiancé, former USU women's basketball student-athlete Alice Coddington, as the couple just got engaged earlier this week.
"She is a special always to be me with her athletic ability and all that. She is a great woman, pure with her honesty. I love her," Smith said.
The drafted Aggie trio marks the first time that three USU players were selected in the same draft since 1984, when Patrick Allen (4/100), Aaron Smith (6/159), Theodis Windham (12/329) and Andy Parket (5/127). Overall, it is just the 15th time in the Aggies' history that three or more players were picked in the same draft.
http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042812aaa.html
LOGAN, Utah - Former Utah State football player Tarren Lloyd signed a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League on Monday.
"I'm very excited and grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me," Lloyd said. "I've worked really hard to get to where I'm at, but I'm definitely blessed. The Carolina Panthers were gracious enough to give me a chance to go up there and work my way onto their roster."
A native of Bountiful, Utah (Viewmont HS), Lloyd earned second-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2011. He had 12 catches for 99 yards (8.2 ypc) with two TDs, and was also an integral blocker for the school-record Aggie rushing attack, and nationally-ranked total offense.
"Tarren Lloyd is very deserving of this opportunity that he has been given, and I think he will represent Utah State very well," USU head coach Gary Andersen said. "He is a big, strong, physical tight end, and I know he is going to continue the hard work that he put in throughout his career as an Aggie. He's going to do well with the Carolina Panthers."
He had a season-best three catches in two games, the first on a season-long 25 yards in the season opener against Auburn, and added three catches for 24 yards in the BYU game, boosted by a season-long 12-yard catch. He also had two catches for 21 yards in the San Jose State game. Lloyd caught his first TD of the season in the win against Wyoming, and snared his second scoring reception of the season in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. He also had a blocked field attempt against San Jose State as time expired to preserve the Aggies' win on Nov. 12.
For his career, Lloyd had 25 catches for 280 yards (11.2 ypc) with four TDs in playing 39 career games, making 16 career starts.
http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/043012aad.html
UTSA
SAN ANTONIO — Below are the dates for this summer's fourth annual Larry Coker/UTSA Football Camps.
· June 1-3: Youth Camp (UTSA Main Campus/San Antonio, Texas)
· June 9: Advanced Camp I (Rhodes Stadium/Katy, Texas)
· June 12: Advanced Camp II (Kilgore High School/Kilgore, Texas)
· June 13: Advanced Camp III (Gopher Bowl/Grand Prairie, Texas)
· July 19: Advanced Camp IV (Alamodome/San Antonio, Texas)
· July 19: Advanced Camp V/Kickers & Deep Snappers Camp (Alamodome/San Antonio, Texas)
· July 20: Advanced Camp VI (Alamodome/San Antonio, Texas)
http://www.goutsa.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=315549&SPID=34919&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205407873&DB_OEM_ID=13100San Marcos, Texas – Former Texas State standout offensive lineman D.J. Hall signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2012 NFL Draft this past weekend. Hall received a call from the Jaguars 15 minutes after the Draft was completed on Saturday and will report to Jacksonville later this week.
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