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Tracy Glantz/tglantz@thestate.com/
Emanuel Cook signed a free-agent deal with the New York Jets.
GoGamecocks.com
Munnerlyn, Cook move on after draft letdown
Former USC players refuse to look back after their decisions to leave early don’t immediately pan out
Captain Munnerlyn is heading to the Carolina Panthers after being drafted in the seventh round Sunday.
Erik Campos/ecampos@thestate.com
Written by JOSEPH PERSON
jperson@thestate.com
Posted on 04.28.09
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survey:
Which of USC's seven NFL draft picks surprised you the most?
USC’s draft picks
JARED COOK, TE: 3rd Round (No. 89), Titans
KENNY MCKINLEY, WR: 5th Round (No. 141), Broncos
JASPER BRINKLEY, LB: 5th Round (No. 150), Vikings
JAMON MEREDITH, OT: 5th Round (No. 162), Packers
CAPTAIN MUNNERLYN, DB: 7th Round (No. 216), Panthers
STONEY WOODSON, DB: 7th Round (No. 238), Giants
RYAN SUCCOP, K: 7th Round (No. 256), Chiefs
Two days, seven rounds, 216 picks.
That is how long South Carolina cornerback Captain Munnerlyn waited before hearing his name called in the NFL draft.
Gamecocks safety Emanuel Cook waited longer: Cook’s name was never called, although the junior from south Florida signed a free agent deal with the New York Jets after going undrafted.
USC had seven players selected this past weekend, the most since the NFL went to a seven-round format in 1994 and a total that tied Oregon State and Ohio State for the second most this year behind Southern Cal’s 11.
The Gamecocks had one player drafted last year: Tailback Cory Boyd was a seventh-round pick by the Denver Broncos.
But much of the buzz among USC fans Monday centered on the decisions of Munnerlyn and Cook to leave school early, only to see their stock plummet following sub-par showings at the NFL combine in February.
Munnerlyn, who watched the draft with his family in his hometown of Mobile, Ala., said he had no regrets about forgoing his senior season. When he spoke with Cook by phone after the draft ended Sunday, Munnerlyn emphasized the need to move forward.
“I told him, ‘We made the decision to leave school early, and we’ve got to make the best out of it. We’ve got to go out there, make a roster spot, ball out and make plays so the teams that passed up on us know that they made a mistake.”
Munnerlyn watched 34 cornerbacks get drafted before the Carolina Panthers picked him. Those selected him included a trio of corners from small schools in Virginia — William & Mary’s Derek Cox, Norfolk State’s Don Carey and Greg Toler from St. Paul’s College.
“I don’t know why I slipped into the seventh round, but it is what it is. It happened now, and I’m just happy I got drafted. That’s my goal — just to get drafted,” Munnerlyn said.
“I wish I could have gone a little higher. But it was a crazy draft. DBs (defensive backs) were going from schools that I’ve never heard of. But I’m glad it happened. I got drafted to the Carolina Panthers, and that’s not bad for me. It’s only an hour from Columbia. So it feels like home.”
Four members of USC’s secondary from last season will be in NFL minicamps. Fifth-year cornerback Stoney Woodson went to the New York Giants in the seventh round, while Carlos Thomas, who split time with Woodson in 2008, signed a free agent deal with San Francisco.
Munnerlyn and Cook both signed with the DeBartolo sports agency in Ohio and prepared for the combine at Deion Sanders’ fledgling training facility in Texas, which was featured in the NFL Network reality series, “Prime U.”
Munnerlyn, a two-year starter who had no interceptions last year, defended his decision to train with Sanders. He attributed his slow 40-yard dash times at the combine to his weight loss rather than poor preparation.
Munnerlyn said the Panthers told him he would have a chance to return kicks.
Cook, the Gamecocks’ leading tackler the past two seasons, likely was hurt by character concerns.
The 21-year-old was arrested on a gun charge on campus in 2007, although the charge was later dropped. Cook was ineligible for the Outback Bowl after he failed to pass the mandatory 12 hours required by the NCAA.
Munnerlyn was mystified that 18 safeties were drafted, and Cook was not among them.
“I feel like he’s way better than them,” he said. “His situation, I don’t know what happened.”
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
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