This week in CMU history: CMU football player drafted to the NFL
On Feb. 4, 1972, Central Michigan Life reported on the drafting of one of Central Michigan University's football players into the NFL.
Jesse Lakes, holder of almost every rushing record at CMU, was drafted to the Green Bay Packers in the 13th round of the annual NFL 17-round college player draft.
Lakes was only the third player from CMU to move on to the NFL, and signed a one-year $16,000 contract with the Packers shortly afterward.
During his time at CMU, Lakes set a career total offense record of 3,702 yards, a single season rushing mark of 1,296 and a single game touchdown record of five against Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1969, among other records.
A representative for the Packers said in the article that Lakes would be tried as a halfback or a fullback.
The first two players to be drafted to the NFL from CMU were Mick Natzel, who in 1971 went to the Oakland Raiders, and Dave Farris who went to the Buffalo Bills the year before that.
