- Dale Duff Reporting ([email protected])
The UMaine Black Bear football player with the best chance to have his name called during the NFL Draft this week is WR/Special Teams standout Earnest Edwards.
Edwards was named Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) First Team All-Conference as a receiver and was also named CAA Special Teams Player of the Year. Edwards was also named to several national All-American teams as a kick returner.
The senior led all of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in kickoff return yard average (28.5) and had two kickoff returns for touchdowns. He also had a punt return for a TD. Edwards caught 49 passes as a receiver for over 1,000 yards.
The NFL Draft continues through Saturday. There are seven rounds of selections.
NOTE: A year ago, two Black Bears earned NFL free agent tryout deals, TE Drew Belcher and LB Sterling Sheffield. Below is the breakdown of UMaine players advancing to the pros….
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
| 2018 | Jamil Demby | OL | LA Rams |
| 2017 | Pat Ricard | DL/FB | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2016 | Trevor Bates | LB/DL | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2016 | Bruce Johnson | OL | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2015 | Damarr Aultman | WR | Miami Dolphins |
| 2014 | Kendall James | DE | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2014 | Justin Perillo | TE | Green Bay Packers |
| 2014 | Derrick Johnson | WR | New England Patriots |
| 2013 | Donte Dennis | LB | St. Louis Rams |
| 2013 | Darlos James | RB | Detroit Lions |
| 2012 | Jerron McMillian | DB | Green Bay Packers |
| 2012 | Trevor Coston | DB | Chicago Bears |
| 2012 | Derek Session | WR | Buffalo Bills |
| 2012 | Pushaun Brown | RB | New York Jets |
| 2012 | Derek Buttles | TE | Buffalo Bills |
| 2011 | Mark Masterson | LB | Miami Dolphins |
| 2011 | Jeremy Kelley | WR | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2010 | Tyler Eastman | OL | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2010 | Landis Williams | WR | Denver Broncos |
| 2009 | Andrew Downey | LB | Detroit Lions |
| 2008 | Matthew Mulligan | TE | Miami Dolphins |
| 2008 | Anthony Cotrone | FB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2007 | Daren Stone | DB | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2007 | Matt King | DL | New York Jets |
| 2007 | Mike DeVito | DL | New York Jets |
| 2006 | Kevin McMahan | WR | Oakland Raiders |
| 2006 | Montell Owens | RB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2006 | Jermaine Walker | LB | Washington Redskins |
| 2006 | Ryan Waller | WR | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2005 | Marcus Williams | RB | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2005 | Brandon McGowan | DB | Chicago Bears |
| 2003 | Stephen Cooper | LB | San Diego Chargers |
| 2002 | Chad Hayes | TE | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2002 | Lennard Byrd | DB/RS | New York Giants |
| 2001 | Dwayne Wilmot | WR | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2001 | Phil McGeoghan | WR | New York Jets |
| 2000 | Brent Naccara | LB | New York Jets |
| 1999 | Mickey Fein | QB | Detroit Lions |
| 1999 | Drew O’Connor | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 1997 | Dave Rilatt | OL | Chicago Bears |
| 1997 | Mike Flynn | OL | Baltimore Ravens |
| 1996 | Brian Gaine | TE | New York Jets |
| 1992 | Carl Smith | RB | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1992 | Dan Jones | OL | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1990 | Mike Buck | QB | New Orleans Saints |
| 1990 | Scott Hough | OL | New Orleans Saints |
| 1990 | Justin Strzelczyk | OL | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1988 | Rob Sterling | DB | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1983 | Lorenzo Bouier | RB | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1980 | Roger Lapham | RB | Buffalo Bills |
| 1979 | Chris Keating | LB | Buffalo Bills |
| 1970 | Gene Benner | WR | Cleveland Browns |
| 1967 | John Huard | LB | Denver Broncos |
| 1962 | Dave Cloutier | HB | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1962 | Manch Wheeler | QB | Buffalo Bills |
| 1959 | Roger Ellis | C | New York Giants |
| 1956 | Thurlow Cooper | DE | Cleveland Browns |
*List includes all drafted players, undrafted free agents, rookie camp invites
** List courtesy UMaine
