The 89th annual National Football League Draft takes place this weekend in Detroit and former Ferris State University football standouts are hoping to hear their names called or be contacted as potential free agent pickups following the annual event.
The Bulldogs have several players who completed their eligibility this past fall, leading FSU to a nation-leading ninth consecutive playoff appearance and hoping to make the jump to professional football.
Defensive back Shon Stephens, defensive end Olalere Oladipo and wide receiver Xavier Wade are receiving the strongest attention. All have either spent the past several months training for an opportunity, taken part in pro day events or been pegged on various draft boards.
Former quarterback Mylik Mitchell has already started his pro career in the Indoor Football League while other alums such as defensive end Ian Hall and slot receiver CJ Jefferson have also been listed among players competing for training camp opportunities.
S
Clemson running back Will Shipley was named Tuesday as part of the 2023 Academic All-America football teams selected by the College Sports Communicators. Shipley, a 2022 honoree, was one of four Division I players on the 2023 Academic All-America team to earn repeat honors. Shipley joins Steve Fuller (1977-78), Kyle Young (1999-2001) and Chad Carson (1999-2001) to become the fourth multi-time Academic All-American in program history. Clemson has had 14 different players garner a total of 20 all-time Academic All-America selections. Shipley, who was already the first Clemson running back ever to be named as an Academic All-American, earned his Clemson degree in management in December, becoming the first scholarship football player on record at Clemson to graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA in only three years. CLEMSON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS 1956: Charlie Bussey, QB 1957: Harvey White, QB 1959: Lou Cordileone, OT 1971: Don Kelley, DB; Ben Anderson, DB 1977: Steve Fuller, QB 1978: Steve Fulle
Defending champion Ferris State will play a Division II football playoff game Saturday without its coach because he has been suspended for players lighting cigars in the locker room after winning a national title last year. “Self-pity’s the greatest form of self-destruction, so I just got to suck it up and be a big boy,” Tony Annese told WOOD-TV. The Bulldogs will travel 60 miles in Michigan to play in-state rival Grand Valley State.
The nation's number one ranked Ferris State Bulldogs got off to a fast start and finished strong in a 38-17 home win on Saturday (Oct. 7) over visiting Saginaw Valley State at Top Taggart Field.
In the 48th consecutive meeting between the two longtime GLIAC opponents, the Bulldogs scored 14 points in the first five minutes of the game and built an early 14-0 lead before the Cardinals responded. FSU eventually scored 24 of the final 27 points in the game for the victory.
The Bulldogs opened strong as senior quarterback Mylik Mitchell hooked up with senior wideout Xavier Wade on a 41-yard scoring throw on FSU's initial offensive drive. Then, after getting the ball back, the duo hooked up again on a 58-yard TD completion to make it an early two-score game.
Saginaw Valley State tied the game up, though, in the second quarter with a pair of scoring drives. The first covered 80 yards and ended with Terrance Brown's 14-yard carry with the second con