The Prospector

Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Sports

Lorne Sam

Marcus Thomas

Oniel Cousins

Of five possible NFL draft prospects for the Miners, three were selected during the 2008 NFL draft Sunday.

Offensive tackle Oniel Cousins was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round. He was 99th overall. Free safety Quintin Demps went to the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the draft and the San Diego Chargers chose running back Marcus Thomas in the fifth round.

"I'm just thrilled and am so happy for these guys," UTEP head coach Mike Price said in a press release. "They've meant so much to our program. They're all guys who have been here a while and worked hard. I couldn't be happier and I think they all have a legitimate chance to make it."

Third-round draftee Cousins said he had been watching the draft all day Sunday, trying not to drift into sleep and waiting for his phone to ring with the call. Finally, Cousins couldn't hold off the slumber much longer. As he closed his eyes, that's when his cell phone rang.

"After I got the call, I called up my teammates and my mom," Cousins said. "I love this sport; this is what I do and I'm just very excited. I hope to apply everything that coach Price taught me about being a man over there (Baltimore)."

The Fullerton, Calif. native will end his career as the Miner who help set a school record with 5,047 yards of offense in the 2007 season. Thanks to Cousins, the Miners tied the school record with five 40-point games in the 2007 season. They were 25th in the nation in passing offense, 28th in scoring offense, 35th in passing efficiency and 37th in total offense. Like a true teammate, Cousins also helped Thomas rush for 1,166 yards by paving the way for him.

Thomas ranks fifth in UTEP history in rushing yards, with 2,615 overall. His 26 rushing touchdowns marks his spot in third overall. He is ranked ninth by the NCAA in scoring (9.8 ppg) and 26th in rushing at 106 ypg and 26th in all-purpose yardage, averaging 132.5 yards per game.

Demps was UTEP's all-team leader for interception yards (404), second for interceptions, tied for second in pass break-ups and was tied for first in interceptions for touchdowns. He ranked 15th nationally in punt returns, averaging 13.3, and tied for 24th in the nation in interceptions (0.4 avg.) for the 2007 season. Demps marked his career with an all-time first when he became the first player in NCAA history to have two 100-yard kickoff returns in the 2007 season.

Wide receiver Lorne Sam signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos yesterday according to a recent press release by UTEP Athletics.

As for Joe West and Jake Sears, both have been offered free agent tryouts. West will head to the New York Giants, while Sears will go to the New Orleans Saints.

So far the Miners have had the second-longest stretch in program history to have at least one player selected into the draft. In 2000 UTEP had three players taken into the draft, a first in program history.

Alex Hinojosa may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.

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