Nfl Bypasses WSU’S Black Senior Isn’T One Of 29 Backs Picked Despite 1,181 Yards Rushing In ‘98
They figured his troubled adolescence might scare off a few potential NFL employers, but few expected Michael Black to plummet out of the draft entirely. Not after the way Black handled himself during a stellar two-year career at Washington State.
But that’s exactly what happened Sunday as Black and the Cougars endured a disappointing conclusion to the NFL draft.
One day after Ryan Leaf, Leon Bender and Dorian Boose heard their names called in the first two rounds, WSU was shut out until the Seahawks nabbed offensive lineman Jason McEndoo in the seventh and final round.
Twenty-nine running backs were selected overall, but not Black.
The low point came late in the final round when the Dallas Cowboys wanted a running back and opted for California’s Tarik Smith, who suffered a serious knee injury in ‘96 and rushed for only 636 yards last year.
Black, by comparison, gained 1,181 yards, providing balance to an offense that set several Pacific-10 Conference records.
“Michael’s bigger, faster and more productive,” said Lee Kollegian, the Los Angeles-based agent who represents Black. “To me, it must come down to Mike’s past troubles.”
Black, who did not return phone messages Saturday and Sunday, once served 20 months in a California juvenile center as a teenager for his role in a ‘91 armed robbery. That followed a six-month stay in another juvenile center for several offenses, including auto theft.
Black, who turns 24 next month, has avoided trouble since then, often expressing a desire to put those incidents behind him.
But that apparently wasn’t enough for NFL teams, despite an unequivocal endorsement from WSU coach Mike Price.
“He’s rock-solid and he’s going to be a real productive citizen,” Price said on the eve of the draft, echoing what he told NFL scouts. “It’s just so clear-cut that it’s not even a question in anybody’s mind that knows Michael Black.”
While the 5-foot-11, 201-pound Black was being passed by, Missouri, Auburn and Virginia Tech each had two running backs chosen in the draft’s final nine picks.
“I just can’t believe no one took Michael Black,” Price said Sunday. “I mean, what more do you want?”
Former WSU receivers Chris Jackson, Kevin McKenzie, Shawn Tims and Shawn McWashington were also overlooked.
“But they’ll get their chance as free agents,” Price added. “All they need is a chance.”
McKenzie, who rooms with Black and is also represented by Kollegian, already has a free-agent tryout lined up. The 5-9, 184-pounder will visit the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.