Six Former NJCAA Football Players Selected in Rounds 2-7 in 2010 NFL Draft

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Several NFL teams looked to former NJCAA football players in days two and three of the 2010 NFL Draft, held in New York City.

After former Fort Scott Community College (Kan.) gridiron star Jason Pierre Paul was selected in the first round (15th overall) on Thursday, April 22nd, six other players with ties to the NJCAA were selected on Friday and Saturday in rounds two through seven.

Former Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College defensive tackle Terrance Cody was selected in the second round with the 57th by the Baltimore Ravens. Cody earned NJCAA All-American honors in 2007 with 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks in leading the Bulldogs to a share of the 07 National Championship. He then transferred to the University of Alabama where he was twice named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference and Consensus All-American. He received All-American honors both in 2008 and 2009 by numerous organizations, including the Associated Press, AFCA, Walter Camp, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, Scout.com, CBS, ESPN.com and more. In 2009 he was also a finalist for the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and Nagurski Trophy. In two seasons at Alabama, Cody collected 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and two blocked kicks and was an instrumental part of the Crimson Tide's run to the 2009 BCS Championship.

Former NJCAA All-American and Iowa Central Community College player Amari Spievey was drafted 66th overall (Round 3) to the Detroit Lions. Spievey first attended the University of Iowa as freshman before transferring to Iowa Central for his sophomore year. In his only year at Iowa Central, Spievey was able to achieve First-Team Defense NJCAA All-American honors in 2007 by recording seven interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, and four blocked punts. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in his lone season with the Tritons. After the successful stint in the NJCAA, he then transferred back to Iowa where he was named First-Team All-Big Ten Conference. At Iowa, Amari Spievey totaled 124 tackles, 14 pass deflections and, although avoided by quarterbacks most Saturday's, he was able to tally six interceptions.

The Cleveland Browns used their 160th pick of the draft (fifth round) on safety Larry Asante who began his collegiate career at Coffeyville Community College (Kan.) before reaching national stardom at the University of Nebraska. Asante played linebacker at Coffeyville and earned NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2006 after collecting 76 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three blocked kicks along with an interception. He played three seasons for the Huskers, starting 36 games. Asante finished his senior season third on the team with 79 tackles and ended his Husker career with 224 tackles, which is the third-most in school history among defensive backs. Asante was a First-Team All-Big 12 Conference selection by Rivals.com.

Eugene Sims of Jones County Junior College (Miss.) and West Texas A&M University was selected in Round 6 (189th Overall) by the St. Louis Rams due to his reputation as an impact playmaker. Sims began his career playing strong safety, starting nine games as a freshman at Jones County. Going into his second year, he was moved to the defensive line where Sims was able to excel. In 2007, Sims had 51 tackles, five quarterback sacks, three tackles for losses and one forced fumble. He helped the Bobcats reach the state championship game that season and also participated in the MACJC All-Star Game. From here, Sims moved on to West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas. Sims racked up the honors including two-time Lone Star Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year, AFCA Div. II First Team All-America, Associated Press Little America Third Team All-American, and recorded the fifth most sacks in a season at West Texas A&M. His final year totals include 56 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, seven total sacks with five QB hurries, five passes defended, four blocked kicks, three forced fumbles, and even a safety.

Jorrick Calvin, a 5'11" defensive back that played at East Central Community College (Miss.) and Troy University. Calvin was selected in Round 6 (201st Overall) by the Arizona Cardinals. In his first season at ECCC, Calvin picked off five passes. Upon transferring to Troy, he started 12 games at cornerback with 76 tackles. Calvin filled the spot of record-setting All-American Leodis McKelvin, currently of the Buffalo Bills, and did so admirably by returning both a kickoff 95 yards and a blocked field goal back for a touchdown. He finished 30th in the nation in kick returns, topping McKelvin's return totals. Calvin also became the first Troy player to capture Sun Belt Conference Defensive and Special Teams awards in the same week. 

The final former NJCAA athlete selected in the 2010 NFL draft was J'Marcus Webb, a 6'8"- 328 lbs offensive lineman from Navarro College (Texas) and West Texas A&M. Webb was selected with the 218th pick (7th round) by the Chicago Bears. Webb was a First-Team NJCAA All-American for the Navarro in 2007. He then transfered to West Texas A&M where he started 24 games for the Bulldogs in 2008 and 2009. Last season he was named First-Team Daktronics, as well as a Don Hansen's Football Gazette First-Feam, All-America selection in NCAA DII.  Also in 2009, Webb was selected Third-Team Little All-American (Division II, III & NAIA) as voted on by the Associated Press.