Former MU players sign with NFL teams

Rucker and Franklin were selected in the draft.

By Mike Bushnell

Published April 29, 2008

For the two former Missouri football players expected to get drafted earliest of the seniors on last year’s 12-2 team, their National Football League Draft experience ended as predicted: picked in the middle of the second day of selections.

Six other ex-Tigers latched on to teams later in the weekend as undrafted free agents.

The Kansas City Chiefs took wide receiver William Franklin in the fourth round, 105th overall, ensuring that Franklin will have played his entire football career to this point solely in the state of Missouri.

Franklin played high school football at Vashon High School in St. Louis.

Some experts pegged Franklin last summer to be a borderline second-round pick, but his draft stock plummeted after he struggled in his senior season.

He had 49 catches for 709 yards, career bests, but his numbers were nearly nonexistent in some conference games.

But he dazzled scouts at the combines in Indianapolis with a 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash, which likely contributed to his middle-round draft status.

The Cleveland Browns took tight end Martin Rucker, MU’s all-time leader in receptions, 111th overall.

That gives the Browns a solid, pass-catching backup to starter Kellen Winslow II. In 2007, Rucker set the Big 12 record for most receptions and yards gained by a tight end with 84 catches for 834 yards.

Joining Rucker in Cleveland were two other Tigers who signed after not being one of the draft’s 252 picks over seven rounds.

Tailback Tony Temple, the only MU back in history with consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and cornerback Darnell Terrell signed with the Browns.

Some pundits had projected Terrell to be a sixth-round selection, but it was not to be.

Left tackle Tyler Luellen latched on with the San Diego Chargers, as did wide receiver Greg Bracey.

Center Adam Speiker signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders and defensive tackle Lorenzo Williams came to terms with the Baltimore Ravens.