Gophers RB Cobb likes how he fits with Tennessee

May 3, 2015 at 4:21AM
Former Gophers running back David Cobb ran through drills as NFL scouts looked on during his pro day. He was selected in the 5th round by the Titans.
Former Gophers running back David Cobb ran through drills as NFL scouts looked on during his pro day. He was selected in the 5th round by the Titans. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Gophers running back David Cobb would've liked to have been picked higher, but he was satisfied with his landing spot in the fifth round.

Cobb was picked by the Titans with the 138th overall selection, and he will pair up in the backfield with Bishop Sankey.

"Of course you want to go as high as possible as an ego thing, but man, I couldn't be in a better fit and a better place for my family," Cobb said. "I'm just overall excited to get to work."

Cobb finished his Gophers career with 2,893 rushing yards and 13 games rushing for 100 yards or more. After an impressive Senior Bowl, Cobb's stock slid because of a quad injury he suffered at the NFL combine. He couldn't participate at the Gophers pro day and instead held an individual pro day last month. Cobb said he learned a valuable lesson through it all of remaining even-keel regardless of the situation.

"Just stay level-headed because some people will like you and some people won't," Cobb said. "It's going to be some bumps and bruises, people are going to talk about you but just trust what you do and have faith."

Cobb will join a team that selected its franchise quarterback with the second overall pick, Oregon's Marcus Mariota, and a potential No. 1 wide receiver in the second round, Oklahoma's Dorial Green-Beckham.

"They're putting pieces together that's going to make us a better team," Cobb said. "We want to win now like everyone else and for us young guys, the biggest thing is to come in and work hard."

Ready to wear star

Linebacker Damien Wilson was hanging out in his living room when he received a phone call from an unfamiliar area code.

Once he picked it up, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was on the other line. He told Wilson the team was going to select him with the 127th pick in the fourth round.

"It was definitely one of those moments where you have to ask yourself, 'Is this really real?' " Wilson said. "It was a nice moment. Everybody just erupted."

Wilson was the first Gopher selected on Day 3 of the draft, and he landed about where he expected to get picked. Wilson led the team with 119 tackles last season. He also had 10½ tackles for loss and four sacks.

"The Cowboys, they definitely noticed, and I'm ready to put the star on my head," Wilson said.

Thompson 150th pick

Safety Cedric Thompson was the final Gophers player selected with the 150th pick in the fifth round by the Dolphins. He went from a possible undrafted prospect to a Day 3 talent because of his impressive performance at the Gophers' pro day where Thompson flashed his athletic ability.

"They don't have captains but this guy was the one, when you talked to everybody, this was the heart and soul of their defense," said Chris Grier, Dolphins director of college scouting. "As you know that program has been up and coming, and this guy helped turn their program around."

Thompson finished second on the team with 83 tackles. He also had two interceptions, and 3½ tackles for loss.

Etc.

• Gophers defensive tackle Cameron Botticelli went undrafted but agreed to terms with the Chargers.

• Two local FCS standout running backs that went undrafted agreed to sign with NFC North teams as free agents. Totino-Grace's John Crockett, from North Dakota State, joined the Packers. Eagan's Zach Zenner, from South Dakota State, is going to the Lions.

• The Gophers finished with four players selected in the NFL draft, the most for the program since 2006.


Damien Wilson
Damien Wilson, Gophers LB:  to Dallas in the fourth round (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota's running back David Cobb (27) warmed up on the field before the team took on Missouri at Citrus Bowl Citrus Bowl Stadium, Thursday, January 1, 2015 in Orlando, FL. ] (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1501011029263165 ORG XMIT: MIN1502141603053903
David Cobb, Gophers RB: to Tennessee in the fifth round (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota defensive back Cedric Thompson (2) warms up before the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Missouri in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/John Raoux) ORG XMIT: FLJR1
Cedric Thompson, Gophers safety: to Miami in the fifth round (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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