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Former Spartan wideout projected No. 2

April 25, 2003

While some professional prospects might be motivated by fame and fortune, MSU wide receiver Charles Rogers plays the game of football for those who looked after him, and for those he now looks after.

"My family and my kids come first," he said. "That's why I'm here. That's why I'm playing the game and getting the bumps and bruises. That's why I'm going through all types of things. It's all about the kids when you get older."

To most professional prospects, this is the most nerve-racking time of their lives. But the Spartans' most sought-after player in more than a decade is as cool about Saturday's proceedings as he is about being double-covered by defensive backs.

"I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy it," Rogers said. "Regardless of where I end up, I'll be happy."

If Rogers is selected by the Detroit Lions with the No. 2 pick, the wideout would be the highest Spartan selected since offensive lineman Tony Mandarich. Mandarich was selected with the second overall pick by the Green Bay Packers in 1989.

Rogers has the size (6-foot-2, 202 pounds) and speed (a 40-yard dash between 4.26 and 4.33 seconds) that NFL teams covet. He's drawn comparisons to NFL receivers Randy Moss and Plaxico Burress.

But he has the on-field production to match the hype. The wideout's stats are enough to make any NFL general manager jump at the chance to draft him.

Last season, Rogers caught an MSU record of 68 passes for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns, along with being awarded the Fred Biletnikoff trophy as the nation's best wide receiver. His receiving yards and touchdown catches represent the second-best single-season totals in Spartan history and are only surpassed by his 2001 totals of 1,470 and 14, respectively.

The receiver broke both the NCAA and Big Ten records by snagging a touchdown pass in 13 consecutive regular-season games and 14 games overall.

Along with Rogers, NFL.com lists five other Spartans on its draft board: offensive tackle Ulish Booker, cornerback Cedric Henry, wide receiver B.J. Lovett, fullback Dawan Moss and strong safety Thomas Wright.

And while Rogers is the only Spartan who will definitely be drafted, an NFL analyst believes each of MSU's other players will find homes in the league.

"Of those five seniors, Wright, Henry and Booker will be draft picks," NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt said. "All of them have a chance to make a team, but those are the three that will hear their name called. But Rogers is the only guy from State that will be picked on the first day."

Brandt said each player has looked good in the tapes he's seen, with Booker being the most promising at 6-foot-6 and over 300 pounds.

Brandt wasn't alone in his assessment.

An NFL scout also said each of MSU's players has a shot at making it in the NFL.

"I can't tell you where they'll be drafted," he said. "But they'll end up somewhere. Their work ethic is strong. The coaches there did a good job preparing them."

Booker said his ideal situation is just to be drafted, preferably on the first day of action.

The offensive lineman also said with the draft approaching, everything is hush-hush with all the teams. And, aside from two high profile players, picks three through 262 are anybody's guess.

"The only guys I know that are locks are Carson Palmer and Charles Rogers," Booker said. "After those two, all the other picks are up in the air."

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