Six former Chippewas join NFL teams Saturday
Senior running back Thomas Rawls carries the ball for the Chippewas against Western Michigan at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. (Photo by Katy Kildee | Assistant Photo Editor)
Former Chippewa defensive tackle Leterrius Walton was the only Chippewa to be taken in the NFL Draft, but five others were taken on as undrafted free agents Saturday.
All six teams that signed a Chippewa finished 2014 with a record above .500 and five of the six teams made the playoffs.
Leterrius Walton, selected 199th (6th round) by the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Clinton Township native was the first Chippewa to be drafted since Eric Fisher was taken first overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 and the first Chippewa defensive tackle to be selected in the draft since 1991.
The 6-5, 319-pounder made 33 tackles this season and was named First Team All-MAC. He will join another former Chippewa in Pittsburgh, Antonio Brown.
Brown, a wide receiver, was also taken in the sixth round, going 195th to the Steelers in 2010. He led the NFL in 2014 in receiving yards with 1,698 and receptions with 129 and was second in receiving touchdowns with 13.
Titus Davis, San Diego Chargers
Davis was slated to be drafted between the fourth and seventh rounds, but his name was not called Saturday. After the draft was completed, the San Diego Chargers added Davis as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
The Wheaton, Ill. native visited San Diego for a workout earlier in the year.
He will join former Chippewa Jahleel Addae, who was picked up by the Chargers in 2013 after not being taken in the draft. He started five games in 2014, played in 11 and made 35 tackles.
Davis caught 60 passes for 980 yards and a Chippewa record 13 touchdowns in 2014.
He said the biggest adjustment for him will likely be the speed of the game.
“Coming from the MAC, there’s speed, but overall obviously there’s going to be a big difference (in the NFL),” Davis said. “Just how physical the guys are, that’s going to be something I’m going to have to get used to pretty early. I think I’ll be able to do that.”
While Davis said he’s not the biggest or the fastest wide receiver, he said his route running abilities are as good as any receiver from the draft.
“You can run a 4.3 or you can be the biggest guy, but you still are not guaranteed to be open,” Davis said. “I think I bring that. The most important thing for a wide receiver is to get open and catch the ball and I think—I know I do that just as good as anyone else in this draft.”
Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks
Before the NFL Draft, Thomas Rawls said his favorite running back is Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch—otherwise known as Beastmode—because he is a “tough back who can grind it out.”
Rawls will be competing with Lynch for playing time after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks Saturday.
The Flint native averaged 5.3 yards per carry in his only season as a Chippewa, running for 1,103 yards in his nine games.
Andy Phillips, Green Bay Packers
The former Chippewa offensive tackle was invited to the Packers rookie camp next week to compete for a spot of the roster.
Phillips started for a team-high 42 straight games for CMU, dating back to his freshman year. The Lansing native was awarded First Team All-MAC honors in 2014 after starting all 13 games at left guard.
Deon Butler, Detroit Lions
Detroit native Deon Butler was invited to rookie camp by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
The 6-3, 242-pound tight end caught 30 passes for 242 yards as a Chippewa in 2014. He has experience as a tight end and wide receiver.
Jason Wilson, Dallas Cowboys
The Farmington Hills native was invited to rookie camp Saturday, after racking up 51 tackles for CMU in 2014.
Wilson played as a wide receiver his freshman year before transitioning to defensive back for his final three seasons as a Chippewa.
UPDATE: Linebacker Justin Cherocci was also invited to camp by the Detroit Lions while tight end Mike Kinville and offensive tackle Kevin Henry were invited to rookie camp by the Atlanta Falcons.
