Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Standouts Hope to Hear Their Names Called at NFL Draft
4/27/2023 10:00:00 AM | Football
Eastern Michigan has not had multiple players drafted since 1977
EMU Football Draft Prospect Bios (PDF) | EMU-NFL Draft Teaser Video.
Photo Galleries: Jose_Ramirez. Sidy_Sow.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (EMUEagles.com) – "With the next pick in the 2023 NFL Draft..." Those nine words are what several Eastern Michigan University football standouts are hoping to hear this weekend as the National Football League holds its annual draft outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., April 27–29, 2023.
Offensive lineman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville) and defensive end Jose Ramirez (Lake Alfred, Fla.-Auburndale-Arizona-Riverside City) are highly-ranked prospects on most draft insider's boards, while wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn), wide receiver Dylan Drummond (Cleveland, Ohio-Cuyahoga Heights), tight end Gunnar Oakes (Swanton, Ohio-Swanton), and quarterback Taylor Powell (Fayetteville, Ark.-Fayetteville-Missouri-Troy) hold out hopes of receiving that Draft Day phone call.
Fans can watch the NFL Draft on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes. Thursday, April 27, coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET for round one selections. Rounds two and three take place Friday, April 28, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The event concludes Saturday, April 29, with rounds four through seven starting at 12 p.m. ET.
Eastern Michigan has had 29 student-athletes picked in the NFL Draft since 1955. Most recently, defensive lineman Maxx Crosby was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Three EMU players have heard their names called during Head Coach Chris Creighton's tenure with Darius Jackson (2016), Pat O'Connor (2017), and Crosby (2019) each making a splash in the professional ranks.
If both Sow and Ramirez are drafted, it would mark the first time since 1977 that multiple EMU players have been drafted in the same season. That year, Mark Carter went to the Miami Dolphins in the 10th Round (264 overall) and Jim Stansik headed to the San Diego Chargers in the 12th Round (319 overall).
Eastern Michigan also had multiple players taken in the 1972, 1973, and 1974 NFL Drafts.
In 1972, Dave Pureifory was picked by the Green Bay Packers in the 6th Round (142 overall), while Will Foster (Philadelphia Eagles - Seventh Round - 170 overall), Larry Ratcliff (Philadelphia Eagles - Eighth Round - 196 overall), and Sam Elmore (New England Patriots - 13th Round - 325 overall) also heard their names called.
During the 1973 Draft, Bill Dulac (Los Angeles Rams - Seventh Round - 167) and Ron Fernandes (Miami Dolphins - 10th Round - 260 overall) were both ushered into the professional ranks. Then in 1974, Jim Pietrzak (New York Giants - Sixth Round - 132), Dave Boone (Minnesota Vikings - 11th Round - 285 overall), and Frank Kolch (Pittsburgh Steelers - 13th Round - 333 overall) joined the exclusive club as draft picks.
Sow grew up in Quebec, Canada, where he was a two-time member of Team Canada's football squad. He was rated the third-best prospect for the Canadian Football League draft going into the 2021 season but deferred his draft status to the 2023 class. He started 11 of 13 games played at left tackle as a "true" freshman in 2018 at Eastern Michigan, then moved to left guard for 12 starts in 2019. Mid-American Conference coaches voted him third-team all-conference in 2020 for his work in six starts at left guard and he was a first-team pick in 2021 and 2022 as he started all 13 contests at that spot both seasons for the Eagles.
The all-time leader in Eastern Michigan history in games played (56) and games started (54), Sow will go down as one of the best offensive linemen to don the green and white.
On the field for 949 snaps in 2022, Sow helped the Eagles lead the MAC in red zone offense (93.9 percent) and third down percentage (44.9), while finishing second in team passing efficiency (137.86). All told, the Bromont, Quebec, native allowed just two sacks this season and only six in his distinguished career.
Mock drafts have Sow going between the fourth and seventh rounds.
One of the most dominant pass rushers in college football, Ramirez finished the 2022 regular season slate on numerous national leaderboards. The MAC's defensive MVP and an All-American via three major publications, he was tied for the nation's lead with 1.00 sacks per game. He finished second in the FBS in total sacks (12.0) and third nationally with 1.6 tackles for loss per contest. He also owned the nation's second-best single-game performance in terms of sacks this season. He collected a program-record 4.0 in Eastern's game at Western Michigan University, Oct. 8. That game was one of three multiple-sack performances he issued for EMU this season.
Ramirez was Eastern Michigan's third-leading tackler this season with 66 stops, and led the Eagles in both quarterback hurries (10) and forced fumbles (2).
His 12 sacks were an all-time single-season record at EMU. He finished with 20.5 sacks in his career, which places him second all-time in program history behind only Avery Brown . He is only the fourth player since 1998 to record double-digit sacks in a single season for Eastern Michigan.
Additionally, Ramirez had 19.5 TFLs during the 2022 regular season, tied for ninth in school history and the most since multiple-year National Football League veteran and E-Club Hall of Fame inductee Jason Jones recorded the same number in 2007. His 34 career tackles for loss put Ramirez fifth in the EMU record book. He has earned All-MAC status in consecutive seasons.
The Lake Alfred, Fla., native is listed as a "good value pick" in the sixth or seventh round.
A three-time nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy for the nation's best walk-on, Beydoun ranks third in EMU history with 2,345 yards receiving while his 216 receptions are also third most. A Third Team All-MAC selection, the Dearborn, Mich., native was on the Paul Hornung, Biletnikoff, and Maxwell Award Watch Lists. He led the Eagles with 49 receptions during the season for a total of 473 yards and four touchdowns.
A 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, Drummond had 183 receptions for 2,028 yards and 14 touchdowns in 52 career games for EMU. He was also a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree in 2023. One of the most reliable pass catchers in the nation, he finished the year ranked 25th among all active NCAA players in consecutive games with a reception.
Oakes has been the ultimate team player for EMU. Having played in 49 games, the Swanton, Ohio, product caught 56 passes for 621 yards and two TDs. Earlier this year, he was drafted with the first pick of the seventh round of the USFL Draft by the Michigan Panthers.
Powell tallied his second-consecutive 1,000-yard passing season and first in an Eastern Michigan uniform in 2022. The Fayetteville, Ark. native was named a "Manning Award Star of the Week" sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Nov. 21, for the first time in his career for his performance in EMU's 31-24 victory over Kent State University, Nov. 16. Powell ranks third in the MAC in completion percentage (65.0%) and was named the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Offensive MVP after guiding EMU to its first bowl championship since 1987.
Additionally, former kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) is expected to be one of the first specialists off the board.
Ryland finished his EMU career as the program's all-time leader in PATs made (141) and PATs attempted (145) at EMU. The Lebanon, Pa., native connected on 56 field goals, which ranks second in program history. He also holds the EMU career points scored with 309 as well as the EMU's single-game record with five FGs made in 2021 versus Western Michigan.
After graduating from EMU, Ryland transferred to the University of Maryland for the 2022 season. In College Park, Ryland was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection. He made 19-of-23 field goals, an 82.6-percentage, including a perfect 9-for-9 from under 40 yards. He had the eighth-most points scored in a season all-time by a Terp with 96 and the fifth-most field goals made in a single season with 19. All told, Ryland ended his Maryland career with the highest field goal percentage (.826) ever by a Terp kicker with over 20 attempts.
EMU football has a long connection to the NFL and the 2023 season only deepened those bonds.
For the 14th time, an Eastern Michigan football alumnus became a Super Bowl Champion. Andrew Wylie and the Kansas City Chiefs took center stage across the country, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The game marked the third Super Bowl appearance in the last four years for Wylie as a member of the Chiefs.
Wylie is one of 11 former Eastern Michigan University football players to take part in a Super Bowl and with his win, he joins the company of just four other former Eastern student-athletes that have captured multiple Super Bowl rings (Reggie Garrett - Steelers, John Banaszak - Steelers, Ron Johnson - Steelers, Charlie Batch - Steelers). Wylie is already one of only six former Eastern Michigan players to capture a Super Bowl crown (won Super LIV – 2020- with Chiefs).
Furthermore, three members of the EMU football coaching staff in 2022 moved on to new jobs with NFL franchises in 2023. Sam Sewell is now the Assistant Special Teams Coach with the Arizona Cardinals, Taver Johnson is the Assistant Defensive Backs Coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Payton McCollum serves a Defensive Assistant with the Indianapolis Colts.
EMU's National Football League Draft Choices
Photo Galleries: Jose_Ramirez. Sidy_Sow.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (EMUEagles.com) – "With the next pick in the 2023 NFL Draft..." Those nine words are what several Eastern Michigan University football standouts are hoping to hear this weekend as the National Football League holds its annual draft outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., April 27–29, 2023.
Offensive lineman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville) and defensive end Jose Ramirez (Lake Alfred, Fla.-Auburndale-Arizona-Riverside City) are highly-ranked prospects on most draft insider's boards, while wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn), wide receiver Dylan Drummond (Cleveland, Ohio-Cuyahoga Heights), tight end Gunnar Oakes (Swanton, Ohio-Swanton), and quarterback Taylor Powell (Fayetteville, Ark.-Fayetteville-Missouri-Troy) hold out hopes of receiving that Draft Day phone call.
Fans can watch the NFL Draft on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes. Thursday, April 27, coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET for round one selections. Rounds two and three take place Friday, April 28, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The event concludes Saturday, April 29, with rounds four through seven starting at 12 p.m. ET.
Eastern Michigan has had 29 student-athletes picked in the NFL Draft since 1955. Most recently, defensive lineman Maxx Crosby was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Three EMU players have heard their names called during Head Coach Chris Creighton's tenure with Darius Jackson (2016), Pat O'Connor (2017), and Crosby (2019) each making a splash in the professional ranks.
If both Sow and Ramirez are drafted, it would mark the first time since 1977 that multiple EMU players have been drafted in the same season. That year, Mark Carter went to the Miami Dolphins in the 10th Round (264 overall) and Jim Stansik headed to the San Diego Chargers in the 12th Round (319 overall).
Eastern Michigan also had multiple players taken in the 1972, 1973, and 1974 NFL Drafts.
In 1972, Dave Pureifory was picked by the Green Bay Packers in the 6th Round (142 overall), while Will Foster (Philadelphia Eagles - Seventh Round - 170 overall), Larry Ratcliff (Philadelphia Eagles - Eighth Round - 196 overall), and Sam Elmore (New England Patriots - 13th Round - 325 overall) also heard their names called.
During the 1973 Draft, Bill Dulac (Los Angeles Rams - Seventh Round - 167) and Ron Fernandes (Miami Dolphins - 10th Round - 260 overall) were both ushered into the professional ranks. Then in 1974, Jim Pietrzak (New York Giants - Sixth Round - 132), Dave Boone (Minnesota Vikings - 11th Round - 285 overall), and Frank Kolch (Pittsburgh Steelers - 13th Round - 333 overall) joined the exclusive club as draft picks.
Sow grew up in Quebec, Canada, where he was a two-time member of Team Canada's football squad. He was rated the third-best prospect for the Canadian Football League draft going into the 2021 season but deferred his draft status to the 2023 class. He started 11 of 13 games played at left tackle as a "true" freshman in 2018 at Eastern Michigan, then moved to left guard for 12 starts in 2019. Mid-American Conference coaches voted him third-team all-conference in 2020 for his work in six starts at left guard and he was a first-team pick in 2021 and 2022 as he started all 13 contests at that spot both seasons for the Eagles.
The all-time leader in Eastern Michigan history in games played (56) and games started (54), Sow will go down as one of the best offensive linemen to don the green and white.
On the field for 949 snaps in 2022, Sow helped the Eagles lead the MAC in red zone offense (93.9 percent) and third down percentage (44.9), while finishing second in team passing efficiency (137.86). All told, the Bromont, Quebec, native allowed just two sacks this season and only six in his distinguished career.
Mock drafts have Sow going between the fourth and seventh rounds.
One of the most dominant pass rushers in college football, Ramirez finished the 2022 regular season slate on numerous national leaderboards. The MAC's defensive MVP and an All-American via three major publications, he was tied for the nation's lead with 1.00 sacks per game. He finished second in the FBS in total sacks (12.0) and third nationally with 1.6 tackles for loss per contest. He also owned the nation's second-best single-game performance in terms of sacks this season. He collected a program-record 4.0 in Eastern's game at Western Michigan University, Oct. 8. That game was one of three multiple-sack performances he issued for EMU this season.
Ramirez was Eastern Michigan's third-leading tackler this season with 66 stops, and led the Eagles in both quarterback hurries (10) and forced fumbles (2).
His 12 sacks were an all-time single-season record at EMU. He finished with 20.5 sacks in his career, which places him second all-time in program history behind only Avery Brown . He is only the fourth player since 1998 to record double-digit sacks in a single season for Eastern Michigan.
Additionally, Ramirez had 19.5 TFLs during the 2022 regular season, tied for ninth in school history and the most since multiple-year National Football League veteran and E-Club Hall of Fame inductee Jason Jones recorded the same number in 2007. His 34 career tackles for loss put Ramirez fifth in the EMU record book. He has earned All-MAC status in consecutive seasons.
The Lake Alfred, Fla., native is listed as a "good value pick" in the sixth or seventh round.
A three-time nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy for the nation's best walk-on, Beydoun ranks third in EMU history with 2,345 yards receiving while his 216 receptions are also third most. A Third Team All-MAC selection, the Dearborn, Mich., native was on the Paul Hornung, Biletnikoff, and Maxwell Award Watch Lists. He led the Eagles with 49 receptions during the season for a total of 473 yards and four touchdowns.
A 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, Drummond had 183 receptions for 2,028 yards and 14 touchdowns in 52 career games for EMU. He was also a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree in 2023. One of the most reliable pass catchers in the nation, he finished the year ranked 25th among all active NCAA players in consecutive games with a reception.
Oakes has been the ultimate team player for EMU. Having played in 49 games, the Swanton, Ohio, product caught 56 passes for 621 yards and two TDs. Earlier this year, he was drafted with the first pick of the seventh round of the USFL Draft by the Michigan Panthers.
Powell tallied his second-consecutive 1,000-yard passing season and first in an Eastern Michigan uniform in 2022. The Fayetteville, Ark. native was named a "Manning Award Star of the Week" sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Nov. 21, for the first time in his career for his performance in EMU's 31-24 victory over Kent State University, Nov. 16. Powell ranks third in the MAC in completion percentage (65.0%) and was named the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Offensive MVP after guiding EMU to its first bowl championship since 1987.
Additionally, former kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) is expected to be one of the first specialists off the board.
Ryland finished his EMU career as the program's all-time leader in PATs made (141) and PATs attempted (145) at EMU. The Lebanon, Pa., native connected on 56 field goals, which ranks second in program history. He also holds the EMU career points scored with 309 as well as the EMU's single-game record with five FGs made in 2021 versus Western Michigan.
After graduating from EMU, Ryland transferred to the University of Maryland for the 2022 season. In College Park, Ryland was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection. He made 19-of-23 field goals, an 82.6-percentage, including a perfect 9-for-9 from under 40 yards. He had the eighth-most points scored in a season all-time by a Terp with 96 and the fifth-most field goals made in a single season with 19. All told, Ryland ended his Maryland career with the highest field goal percentage (.826) ever by a Terp kicker with over 20 attempts.
EMU football has a long connection to the NFL and the 2023 season only deepened those bonds.
For the 14th time, an Eastern Michigan football alumnus became a Super Bowl Champion. Andrew Wylie and the Kansas City Chiefs took center stage across the country, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The game marked the third Super Bowl appearance in the last four years for Wylie as a member of the Chiefs.
Wylie is one of 11 former Eastern Michigan University football players to take part in a Super Bowl and with his win, he joins the company of just four other former Eastern student-athletes that have captured multiple Super Bowl rings (Reggie Garrett - Steelers, John Banaszak - Steelers, Ron Johnson - Steelers, Charlie Batch - Steelers). Wylie is already one of only six former Eastern Michigan players to capture a Super Bowl crown (won Super LIV – 2020- with Chiefs).
Furthermore, three members of the EMU football coaching staff in 2022 moved on to new jobs with NFL franchises in 2023. Sam Sewell is now the Assistant Special Teams Coach with the Arizona Cardinals, Taver Johnson is the Assistant Defensive Backs Coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Payton McCollum serves a Defensive Assistant with the Indianapolis Colts.
EMU's National Football League Draft Choices
| Year | Round | Pick | Overall | Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 21 | 2 | 243 | Nick Manych | Baltimore Colts | E |
| 1967 | 13 | 13 | 328 | Robert Rodwell | Washington Redskins | LB |
| 1970 | 14 | 15 | 353 | Bob Lints | Green Bay Packers | G |
| 1971 | 3 | 20 | 72 | Al Clark | Detroit Lions | DB |
| 1972 | 6 | 12 | 142 | Dave Pureifory | Green Bay Packers | LB |
| 7 | 14 | 170 | Will Foster | Philadelphia Eagles | LB | |
| 8 | 14 | 196 | Larry Ratcliff | Philadelphia Eagles | RB | |
| 13 | 13 | 325 | Sam Elmore | New England Patriots | DB | |
| 1973 | 7 | 11 | 167 | Bill DuLac | Los Angeles Rams | G |
| 10 | 26 | 260 | Ron Fernandez | Miami Dolphins | DE | |
| 1974 | 6 | 2 | 132 | Jim Pietrzak | New York Giants | T |
| 11 | 25 | 285 | Dave Boone | Minnesota Vikings | DE | |
| 13 | 21 | 333 | Frank Kolch | Pittsburgh Steelers | QB | |
| 1975 | 14 | 25 | 363 | Mike Strickland | Minnesota Vikings | RB |
| 1976 | 7 | 22 | 204 | Clarence Chapman | Oakland Raiders | WR |
| 1977 | 10 | 13 | 264 | Mark Carter | Miami Dolphins | TE |
| 12 | 12 | 319 | Jim Stansik | San Diego Chargers | TE | |
| 1978 | 1 | 22 | 22 | Ron Johnson | Pittsburgh Steelers | DB |
| 1981 | 7 | 25 | 191 | Ken Miller | Dallas Cowboys | DB |
| 1988 | 7 | 7 | 172 | Gary Patton | New York Jets | RB |
| 1998 | 2 | 30 | 60 | Charlie Batch | Detroit Lions | QB |
| 1999 | 1 | 21 | 21 | L. J. Shelton | Arizona Cardinals | T |
| 2003 | 7 | 41 | 255 | Kevin Walter | New York Giants | WR |
| 2005 | 7 | 23 | 237 | Chris R. Roberson | Jacksonville Jaguars | DB |
| 2008 | 2 | 23 | 54 | Jason Jones | Tennessee Titans | DE |
| 2009 | 4 | 9 | 109 | T. J. Lang | Green Bay Packers | T |
| 2016 | 6 | 41 | 216 | Darius Jackson | Dallas Cowboys | RB |
| 2017 | 7 | 32 | 250 | Pat O'Connor | Detroit Lions | DE |
| 2019 | 4 | 4 | 106 | Maxx Crosby | Oakland Raiders | DE |
Players Mentioned
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