Floyd may be only player with state ties drafted

By foxsports
Published

When a college football team finishes its season with a 3-9 record two years in a row, chances are there aren't many NFL-caliber players on the roster. But the University of Minnesota does have a few names that could be either late-round picks or signed as free agents after the draft.  With Cretin-Derham Hall High's Michael Floyd the only player on this list who is sure to get drafted, here's a look at several NFL prospects with ties to the state of Minnesota, either as Gophers or high schoolers:

Duane Bennett, RB, Minnesota (5-9, 213)
In all likelihood, Bennett won't be drafted this weekend. But he said earlier this month that he's hopeful he can at least sign with a team as a free agent after the draft and work to earn his way onto an NFL roster. As a senior with the Gophers Bennett ran for 659 yards and three touchdowns, not exactly numbers that jump off the page. But his ability and willingness to play special teams during college — he blocked and returned a punt for a touchdown last season — could potentially help him earn a roster spot somewhere.

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (6-3, 220)
Before Floyd emerged as a standout wide receiver at Notre Dame, he was a star for Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul. During his senior season at Notre Dame, Floyd had 100 catches for 1,147 yards, both of which were career highs. He also caught nine touchdown passes this season to finish with 37 in his four-year career with the Fighting Irish. Several mock drafts have Floyd going in the first 10 picks of Thursday's first round, while others have him projected to go in the middle of the first round.

Anthony Jacobs, DT, Minnesota (6-2, 286)
Jacobs started all 12 of Minnesota's games as a senior and had 26 tackles, including six tackles for loss. He also had one sack and forced a pair of fumbles. Those numbers were down a bit from his junior season, however, when he had 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. But he leaves Minnesota with plenty of experience, as he saw playing time during all four years on campus, including 26 starts at defensive tackle.

Eric Lair, TE/FB, Minnesota (6-3, 232)
Lair played tight end at Minnesota but is listed as a fullback on many draft sites. In 12 games during his senior season at Minnesota, Lair had 11 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown. Used plenty in blocking situations with the Gophers, a move to fullback could be a relatively smooth transition for Lair if he hopes to have a shot at the next level.

Da'Jon McKnight, WR, Minnesota (6-3, 211)
As a senior, McKnight was far and away Minnesota's best receiver, as he was a go-to target for quarterback MarQueis Gray. McKnight finished his senior season with 51 catches for 760 yards and four touchdowns. McKnight's size and frame are appealing to NFL teams, but he lacks elite speed — he ran a 4.87 40-yard dash at Minnesota's pro day earlier this year.

Trevor Olson, OT, Northern Illinois (6-6, 302)
Prior to playing for Northern Illinois, starred at Richfield (Minn.) High School, where he played offensive and defensive tackle. During his senior season, Olson started in all 14 games. He was a four-year starter with the Huskies, including a few seasons with current Gophers coach Jerry Kill.

Kim Royston, S, Minnesota (5-11, 200)
Royston, a Minneapolis native, originally enrolled at the University of Wisconsin and played two seasons with the Badgers before transferring home to Minnesota. He missed all of 2010 with a broken leg, but returned for his senior year with the Gophers last year. Royston recorded one interception and a team-high 123 tackles as a senior. He's a bit undersized at the position, but was a leader for Minnesota on and off the field. There's a good chance he goes undrafted but could sign on with a team after the draft.

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