MU's Rucker has high hopes in NFL draft

**KcMizzou** · 11-03-2007, 11:01 PM

MU's Rucker has high hopes in NFL draft
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star

COLUMBIA | Martin Rucker, better known as T to teammates, looked almost sheepish.

That’s hard to do for someone who stands 6 feet 6, weighs 255 pounds and drags four and five tacklers behind him like the train of a wedding dress.

“I haven’t told anybody this,” said Rucker, who is averaging more pass receptions (6.75) and more yards (73.88) per game than any other tight end in college football. “But one of the things that goes through my head in the weight room. … What do you want to be? Do you want to be a first-day guy or a second-day guy?”

He’s talking National Football League draft status here.

Then Rucker slaps five, 10 more pounds on the bar.

“First-day weight, second-day weight? First-round weight, second-round weight?”

The draft and where he might be taken next year is a subject Rucker normally avoids.

“It’s not about, ‘Oh, this is a catch for me. I’ve got to do this for my future,’ ” Rucker said. “It’s about, ‘This is where we are in this football game, and I have to get these yards so we can win this football game.’ ”

That attitude is part of the reason Missouri is ranked No. 9 in the nation, why the Tigers are 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12 Conference heading into Saturday’s 5:30 p.m. kickoff at Colorado.

But make no mistake. Part of the reason Rucker has more pass receptions (54) for more yards (591) right now than he’s ever had at Missouri is because of something Rucker took very personally.

It was January. Semester break. Rucker was at home in St. Joseph, Mo., when the telephone rang. Martin Rucker Sr. was on the other end saying someone from the NFL had called.

Rucker had been waiting for this seemingly all his athletic life. The NFL annually evaluates potential draftees and — as a service to college underclassmen who may be thinking about entering the draft as juniors — projects their potential position in the selection order.

So Rucker called the number his dad had given him. A woman answered.

“She said fifth round,” Rucker said.

Fifth round? Are you kidding? Rucker had caught 53 passes for 511 yards and five touchdowns.

In three seasons as a Tiger, Rucker had averaged 11.3 yards per pass reception.

“I was really upset,” Rucker said.

Rushing into his mind were criticisms he’d heard whispered about his pro prospects.

“They say I’m not tough, they say I’m not physical,” Rucker said.

Only nobody is saying that anymore. After a summer spent transforming both body and will, Rucker is a changed football player. Perhaps twice the football player he was.

“He’s a beast,” said MU quarterback Chase Daniel, who sometimes gives way in the shotgun so Rucker can take a direct snap and make like a short-yardage running back.

Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon lived with Rucker in Columbia last summer and has seen the transformation first-hand.

“Now it takes about five or six guys to get that guy down,” Weatherspoon said. “Ever since they told him he’d be taken in the fifth round, he’s been in that weight room.”

Daniel made a promise to Rucker soon after that lower-than-expected draft projection.

“I’m going to try my hardest to get this team to the Big 12 championship and to get you a higher draft status,” Daniel said

The two goals are not mutually exclusive, nor is another goal Rucker established for himself: All-American.

“That’s what I set out to do,” Rucker said. “I have strong faith in the Lord. I read my Bible every night. Whenever you go to him, anything’s possible.

“As long as you add the hard work to go with his blessing, you can reach any goal that you set out.”

**jjchieffan** · 11-03-2007, 11:08 PM

I sure would like to have him here in KC. Heir apparent to TG.

**KcMizzou** · 11-03-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

I sure would like to have him here in KC. Heir apparent to TG.

I'd love to see it.

He's not only a Mizzou player, but a local guy. He's from St. Joe... My dad knows his dad.

It aint much, but it's pretty cool to me.

**jjchieffan** · 11-03-2007, 11:15 PM

I wonder where he will be projected to go now? First day for sure. I have hardly got to see him play this year. F**King springfield stations won't hardly play MU games. Is he good enough to go first round? early second?

**KcMizzou** · 11-03-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

I wonder where he will be projected to go now? First day for sure. I have hardly got to see him play this year. F**King springfield stations won't hardly play MU games. Is he good enough to go first round? early second?

Hard for me to say... I'm really biased. I'm guessing 3rd round. TE's don't really go that high.

Coffman seems to be the better NFL TE, to me. But hopefully he'll stick around for another season.

**KcMizzou** · 11-03-2007, 11:21 PM

Either way, I'll root my ass off for Rucker.

beer bacon · 11-03-2007, 11:23 PM

I guess the thing that is really hurting him is that he has almost always played out wide. He never actually lines up on the line. He will definitely be as good a pass-catching TE as anyone coming out.

beer bacon · 11-03-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Hard for me to say... I'm really biased. I'm guessing 3rd round. TE's don't really go that high.

Coffman seems to be the better NFL TE, to me. But hopefully he'll stick around for another season.

Coffman should put up insane numbers next season if he stays. Him and his dad have always said Coffman will stick around through his senior season.

**Smed1065** · 11-04-2007, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

I'd love to see it.

He's not only a Mizzou player, but a local guy. He's from St. Joe... My dad knows his dad.

It aint much, but it's pretty cool to me.

7th round? from Mizzou........

HolmeZz · 11-04-2007, 11:19 AM

I like Coffman a little more.

KChiefs1 · 11-04-2007, 11:22 AM

I'd rather have Coffman but TRuck isn't bad either....

eazyb81 · 11-04-2007, 11:24 AM

Both Rucker and Coffman are more TE/WR hybrids rather than traditional TEs, so they will have to prove they can come inside and block when it's needed.

If Rucker does well at the combine, specifically on his blocking technique, then he could go as high as the 2nd round. Right now NFLDC ranks him as the 3rd best TE.

CoMoChief · 11-04-2007, 11:31 AM

That one play Coffman made last night where he leaped over the Colorado defender then made spin move and dove for an extra 4 yards into the endzone was one of the best moves Ive ever seen made by a TE. Rucker had somewhat of a quiet night yesterday, mostly in part because it was the Coffman show.

Rucker will go early 3rd round. I would love to see us trade up and get him.

1. OL
2. OL
3. Rucker

11-03-2007, 11:01 PM
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	MU's Rucker has high hopes in NFL draft MU's Rucker has high hopes in NFL draft By MIKE DeARMOND The Kansas City Star COLUMBIA \| Martin Rucker, better known as T to teammates, looked almost sheepish. That’s hard to do for someone who stands 6 feet 6, weighs 255 pounds and drags four and five tacklers behind him like the train of a wedding dress. “I haven’t told anybody this,” said Rucker, who is averaging more pass receptions (6.75) and more yards (73.88) per game than any other tight end in college football. “But one of the things that goes through my head in the weight room. … What do you want to be? Do you want to be a first-day guy or a second-day guy?” He’s talking National Football League draft status here. Then Rucker slaps five, 10 more pounds on the bar. “First-day weight, second-day weight? First-round weight, second-round weight?” The draft and where he might be taken next year is a subject Rucker normally avoids. “It’s not about, ‘Oh, this is a catch for me. I’ve got to do this for my future,’ ” Rucker said. “It’s about, ‘This is where we are in this football game, and I have to get these yards so we can win this football game.’ ” That attitude is part of the reason Missouri is ranked No. 9 in the nation, why the Tigers are 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12 Conference heading into Saturday’s 5:30 p.m. kickoff at Colorado. But make no mistake. Part of the reason Rucker has more pass receptions (54) for more yards (591) right now than he’s ever had at Missouri is because of something Rucker took very personally. It was January. Semester break. Rucker was at home in St. Joseph, Mo., when the telephone rang. Martin Rucker Sr. was on the other end saying someone from the NFL had called. Rucker had been waiting for this seemingly all his athletic life. The NFL annually evaluates potential draftees and — as a service to college underclassmen who may be thinking about entering the draft as juniors — projects their potential position in the selection order. So Rucker called the number his dad had given him. A woman answered. “She said fifth round,” Rucker said. Fifth round? Are you kidding? Rucker had caught 53 passes for 511 yards and five touchdowns. In three seasons as a Tiger, Rucker had averaged 11.3 yards per pass reception. “I was really upset,” Rucker said. Rushing into his mind were criticisms he’d heard whispered about his pro prospects. “They say I’m not tough, they say I’m not physical,” Rucker said. Only nobody is saying that anymore. After a summer spent transforming both body and will, Rucker is a changed football player. Perhaps twice the football player he was. “He’s a beast,” said MU quarterback Chase Daniel, who sometimes gives way in the shotgun so Rucker can take a direct snap and make like a short-yardage running back. Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon lived with Rucker in Columbia last summer and has seen the transformation first-hand. “Now it takes about five or six guys to get that guy down,” Weatherspoon said. “Ever since they told him he’d be taken in the fifth round, he’s been in that weight room.” Daniel made a promise to Rucker soon after that lower-than-expected draft projection. “I’m going to try my hardest to get this team to the Big 12 championship and to get you a higher draft status,” Daniel said The two goals are not mutually exclusive, nor is another goal Rucker established for himself: All-American. “That’s what I set out to do,” Rucker said. “I have strong faith in the Lord. I read my Bible every night. Whenever you go to him, anything’s possible. “As long as you add the hard work to go with his blessing, you can reach any goal that you set out.”
Posts: 54,695

11-03-2007, 11:08 PM	#2
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $92248	I sure would like to have him here in KC. Heir apparent to TG.
Posts: 13,318

11-03-2007, 11:15 PM	#4
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $92248	I wonder where he will be projected to go now? First day for sure. I have hardly got to see him play this year. F**King springfield stations won't hardly play MU games. Is he good enough to go first round? early second?
Posts: 13,318

11-03-2007, 11:21 PM	#6
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	Either way, I'll root my ass off for Rucker.
Posts: 54,695

11-03-2007, 11:23 PM	#7
beer bacon WHAT Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10019545	I guess the thing that is really hurting him is that he has almost always played out wide. He never actually lines up on the line. He will definitely be as good a pass-catching TE as anyone coming out.
Posts: 9,301

11-04-2007, 11:19 AM	#10
HolmeZz i guess its bittersweet poetry Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NeW HaVeN, CT Casino cash: $10004900	I like Coffman a little more.
Posts: 16,520

11-04-2007, 11:22 AM	#11
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	I'd rather have Coffman but TRuck isn't bad either.... __________________
Posts: 54,038

11-04-2007, 11:24 AM	#12
eazyb81 The Illuminati Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: the road less traveled Casino cash: $9984900	Both Rucker and Coffman are more TE/WR hybrids rather than traditional TEs, so they will have to prove they can come inside and block when it's needed. If Rucker does well at the combine, specifically on his blocking technique, then he could go as high as the 2nd round. Right now NFLDC ranks him as the 3rd best TE.
Posts: 12,033

11-04-2007, 11:31 AM	#13
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7712254	That one play Coffman made last night where he leaped over the Colorado defender then made spin move and dove for an extra 4 yards into the endzone was one of the best moves Ive ever seen made by a TE. Rucker had somewhat of a quiet night yesterday, mostly in part because it was the Coffman show. Rucker will go early 3rd round. I would love to see us trade up and get him. 1. OL 2. OL 3. Rucker __________________
Posts: 39,242