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Horns' Muckelroy a rarity: a draft-worthy LB
He could be only the second linebacker drafted in the past 15 years Enlarge Photo Derrick Johnson was rated the nation's top defender in 2004.
Ralph Barrera/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Enlarge Photo Roddrick Muckelroy (38) celebrates an interception against Alabama in the BCS title game with teammate Chykie Brown.
http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/horns-muckelroy-a-rarity-a-draft-worthy-lb-488914.html
More .By Suzanne Halliburton AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Published: 9:38 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Roddrick Muckelroy didn't realize he is somewhat of a novelty when it comes to the NFL draft.
He's a linebacker. And history tells us that Texas linebackers aren't so popular with the pros.
Consider this fact:
In the last 15 years, going all through the Mack Brown era and back into John Mackovic's tenure, only one Texas linebacker has been selected in the draft. That was Derrick Johnson, who was considered the best defensive player in the country in 2004.
"I'd only be the second linebacker?" asked Muckelroy, who was a bit taken aback by the news. "That'll be great for me, with all my hard work."
Muckelroy, who was the team's leading tackler for the past two seasons, is a near guarantee to be drafted. He played in the Senior Bowl and performed well at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis earlier this month. It's why he's projected as a third- to fourth-round pick when the three-day draft commences on April 22.
To cement his status, Muckelroy will be running the 40-yard dash as well as going through position drills today at Texas' annual pro timing day.
A dozen former Longhorns will work out, with more than 100 NFL scouts and coaches indicating they'll be on hand. The big draws are likely first-rounders in defensive end Sergio Kindle and safety Earl Thomas, along with quarterback Colt McCoy.
The scouts also will be looking at lower-round draft finds such as Muckelroy, who could make an immediate impact on a team his rookie season playing on special teams, defensive tackle Lamarr Houston and receiver Jordan Shipley.
They're making their way south this week. They stopped in Norman on Monday to check out Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, then Stillwater on Tuesday to scout Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant.
The draft service Scouts, Inc., is projecting Muckelroy as a third rounder with a grade of 71.
His highest marks are in the intangible category, with the report stating: He's a "natural leader. Shows a lot of maturity and is a hard worker on and off the field. An individual with high character."
The service NFLdraftscout.com assesses Muckelroy: "More quick than he is fast, Muckelroy's lack of elite speed and bulk will be considered a detriment for teams considering him in the second round.
"But his explosive hitting, work ethic on and off the field, versatility, and potential as a special teams coverage ace should earn him a spot in the top half of the draft."
Muckelroy, who plans to complete his degree this summer, took off the semester to train for the draft. He spent two months training with Olympic track star Michael Johnson in Dallas, where Muckelroy focused most on his 40-yard dash, which scouts use a barometer for athleticism.
While in Dallas, Muckelroy bulked up to 246 pounds — a gain of 10 — for the combine. He did so to answer questions about his potential lack of size.
But carrying the extra weight led him to a time of 4.7 seconds in the 40. In the past four weeks, he's dropped six pounds and is hoping to run a tenth of a second faster today than he did in Indianapolis.
While in Indy, Muckelroy met with a number of NFL coaches. The coaches gathered in a ballroom at a downtown hotel and interviewed invited rookies much like employers would at a job fair.
Except in this job fair, coaches had video in hand and tested the players by asking them to explain their game film. Muckelroy said teams focused solely on the final two games of his career — the Big 12 Conference championship and the national title game against Alabama. Those opponents ran run-oriented offenses. And the pros want their linebackers to be stout against a power running team.
Against the two teams, Muckelroy had a combined 13 tackles and an interception.
"They especially wanted to know 'Can he play a downhill running team? Can he take on a lead blocker?'" Muckelroy said.
Scouting services list him as being able to play both the inside and outside linebacker position. Muckelroy played both at Texas, and said he has no preference.
"I just want to do what I do best," Muckelroy said. "Everybody will be there. I'll get a chance to showcase my talents in front of everybody."
And in his mind, go down as one of the few drafted Texas linebackers.
[email protected]; 445-3954
He could be only the second linebacker drafted in the past 15 years Enlarge Photo Derrick Johnson was rated the nation's top defender in 2004.
Ralph Barrera/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Enlarge Photo Roddrick Muckelroy (38) celebrates an interception against Alabama in the BCS title game with teammate Chykie Brown.
http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/horns-muckelroy-a-rarity-a-draft-worthy-lb-488914.html
More .By Suzanne Halliburton AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Published: 9:38 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Roddrick Muckelroy didn't realize he is somewhat of a novelty when it comes to the NFL draft.
He's a linebacker. And history tells us that Texas linebackers aren't so popular with the pros.
Consider this fact:
In the last 15 years, going all through the Mack Brown era and back into John Mackovic's tenure, only one Texas linebacker has been selected in the draft. That was Derrick Johnson, who was considered the best defensive player in the country in 2004.
"I'd only be the second linebacker?" asked Muckelroy, who was a bit taken aback by the news. "That'll be great for me, with all my hard work."
Muckelroy, who was the team's leading tackler for the past two seasons, is a near guarantee to be drafted. He played in the Senior Bowl and performed well at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis earlier this month. It's why he's projected as a third- to fourth-round pick when the three-day draft commences on April 22.
To cement his status, Muckelroy will be running the 40-yard dash as well as going through position drills today at Texas' annual pro timing day.
A dozen former Longhorns will work out, with more than 100 NFL scouts and coaches indicating they'll be on hand. The big draws are likely first-rounders in defensive end Sergio Kindle and safety Earl Thomas, along with quarterback Colt McCoy.
The scouts also will be looking at lower-round draft finds such as Muckelroy, who could make an immediate impact on a team his rookie season playing on special teams, defensive tackle Lamarr Houston and receiver Jordan Shipley.
They're making their way south this week. They stopped in Norman on Monday to check out Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, then Stillwater on Tuesday to scout Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant.
The draft service Scouts, Inc., is projecting Muckelroy as a third rounder with a grade of 71.
His highest marks are in the intangible category, with the report stating: He's a "natural leader. Shows a lot of maturity and is a hard worker on and off the field. An individual with high character."
The service NFLdraftscout.com assesses Muckelroy: "More quick than he is fast, Muckelroy's lack of elite speed and bulk will be considered a detriment for teams considering him in the second round.
"But his explosive hitting, work ethic on and off the field, versatility, and potential as a special teams coverage ace should earn him a spot in the top half of the draft."
Muckelroy, who plans to complete his degree this summer, took off the semester to train for the draft. He spent two months training with Olympic track star Michael Johnson in Dallas, where Muckelroy focused most on his 40-yard dash, which scouts use a barometer for athleticism.
While in Dallas, Muckelroy bulked up to 246 pounds — a gain of 10 — for the combine. He did so to answer questions about his potential lack of size.
But carrying the extra weight led him to a time of 4.7 seconds in the 40. In the past four weeks, he's dropped six pounds and is hoping to run a tenth of a second faster today than he did in Indianapolis.
While in Indy, Muckelroy met with a number of NFL coaches. The coaches gathered in a ballroom at a downtown hotel and interviewed invited rookies much like employers would at a job fair.
Except in this job fair, coaches had video in hand and tested the players by asking them to explain their game film. Muckelroy said teams focused solely on the final two games of his career — the Big 12 Conference championship and the national title game against Alabama. Those opponents ran run-oriented offenses. And the pros want their linebackers to be stout against a power running team.
Against the two teams, Muckelroy had a combined 13 tackles and an interception.
"They especially wanted to know 'Can he play a downhill running team? Can he take on a lead blocker?'" Muckelroy said.
Scouting services list him as being able to play both the inside and outside linebacker position. Muckelroy played both at Texas, and said he has no preference.
"I just want to do what I do best," Muckelroy said. "Everybody will be there. I'll get a chance to showcase my talents in front of everybody."
And in his mind, go down as one of the few drafted Texas linebackers.
[email protected]; 445-3954
DAL @ GB
