 Eight Mid-American Conference players were selected on the second day of the NFL Draft Sunday, joining first day selection Jason Jones of Eastern Michigan to give the MAC a total of nine players chosen in the NFL's annual entry draft. The final tally of nine draft picks topped last year's total of eight player selections and was the conference's highest total since the NFL claimed 11 MAC players in the 2005 draft.
Following an opening day that saw Eastern Michigan defense end Jason Jones selected in the second round with the 54th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans, the second day of the NFL draft (rounds 3-7) saw a flurry of activity for MAC players with Toledo and Buffalo leading the way with a pair of draft picks while the Denver Broncos claimed two MAC players. Overall, nine players from seven different MAC schools received draft-day calls. Akron scored an NFL pick for the fourth consecutive year.
The second round selection of Eastern Michigan's Jones represented the first time a defensive player was the first MAC player chosen in the NFL draft since Marshall defensive end Paul Toviessi was selected by Denver in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft.
The second day of the NFL draft saw early MAC representation when Toledo offensive tackle John Greco was selected with the second pick of the third round (65th overall) by the St. Louis Rams. Greco, a three-time All-MAC standout, became the Rockets' highest draft pick since Dan Williams was taken in the first round in 1993 by Denver. Greco's stock rose significantly with a strong performance in the NFL Combine that saw him catapult to being considered among the top offensive lineman available in this year's draft.
The fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft saw three MAC players selected starting with Bowling Green's Kory Lichtensteiger, a four-year starter. Lichtensteiger was drafted as a center by Denver with the ninth pick of the fourth round (108th overall) but could see action at any of several spots on the Broncos' offensive line. Lichtensteiger tied a school record with 48 consecutive starts, was a two-time All-MAC selection and last season was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy. Lichtensteiger was Bowling Green's highest draft pick since Charlie Williams went in the third round to Dallas in 1994.
Joining Lichtensteiger in the fourth round from the MAC were a pair of cornerbacks as Akron's Reggie Corner was selected with the 15th pick of the fourth round (114 overall) by Buffalo and Kent State's Jack Williams was chosen five picks later with the 20th selection of the fourth round (120 overall) by Denver.
Corner, a first-team All-MAC selection last season, finished his career ranking second all-time at Akron in interceptions and eighth all-time in the MAC.
Williams, a second team All-MAC selection in 2007, ranks third all-time at Kent State with 13 career interceptions and in his junior year led the nation with five forced fumbles.
Buffalo defensive end Trevor Scott was selected with the third pick of the sixth round (169 overall) by Oakland just ahead of Toledo running back Jalen Parmele who was selected by Miami with the tenth pick of the sixth round (176 overall).
Scott, a converted tight end, was a second team All-MAC selection in 2007 and was runner-up in voting for MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Scott recorded 24 quarterback sacks, ranking third all-time for the Bulls.
Parmele became the first Toledo running back to be selected in the NFL draft since Chester Taylor was picked in the sixth round by Baltimore in 2002. A two-time All-MAC selection, Parmele rushed for over 1500 yards in 2007, ranking second in the MAC and ninth nationally.
The final round of the NFL draft saw two more MAC players chosen as Ohio defensive tackle Landon Cohen and Buffalo offensive lineman Jamey Richard were each selected. Richard's selection represented the first time the Bulls have had two players chosen in the NFL draft.
Cohen, chosen with the ninth pick of the seventh round (216 overall) by Detroit, was the first Bobcat selected in the NFL draft since punter Dave Zastudil was tabbed in the fourth round by Baltimore in 2002. Cohen finished his career ranked fourth all-time at Ohio with 39.5 career tackles for loss and started 37 consecutive games while being named second-team All-MAC last season.
Buffalo's Richard, selected by Indianapolis with the ninth pick in round seven (236 overall), was a second-team All-MAC selection in 2007 as the Bulls' starting center and was an honorable mention All-American selection of Pro Football Weekly.
MAC Players Chosen in the 2008 NFL Draft:
|
Player
|
Pos
|
School
|
Round
|
Overall
|
Team
|
|
Jason Jones
|
DE
|
Eastern Michigan
|
2
|
54
|
Tennessee
|
|
John Greco
|
OT
|
Toledo
|
3
|
65
|
St. Louis
|
|
Kory Lichtensteiger
|
C
|
Bowling Green
|
4
|
108
|
Denver
|
|
Jack Williams
|
CB
|
Kent State
|
4
|
114
|
Buffalo
|
|
Reggie Corner
|
CB
|
Akron
|
4
|
120
|
Denver
|
|
Trevor Scott
|
DE
|
Buffalo
|
6
|
169
|
Oakland
|
|
Jalen Parmele
|
RB
|
Toledo
|
6
|
176
|
Miami
|
|
Landon Cohen
|
DT
|
Ohio
|
7
|
216
|
Detroit
|
|
Jamey Richard
|
C
|
Buffalo
|
7
|
236
|
Indianapolis
|
|
