Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton picked in 2nd round by San Diego Chargers
Last year, Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren expected to be a second-round selection in the NFL Draft and was never chosen. This time around, scouts considered Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton a late-round wildcard.
The San Diego Chargers made him their second-round pick Friday night.
Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton (8) was a second-round choice of the San Diego Chargers in Saturday's NFL Draft.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Mouton, the 61st overall selection, was the only starting member of the Wolverines' defense to graduate, and many prognosticators believed his draft status would be hurt by the team's overall poor defensive performance in 2010.
He had a career-best 117 tackles last season, including a career-high 14 against Illinois.
Mouton's not the only Big Ten player joining the Chargers. The team selected Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget in the first round.
"We're looking for football players," said Jimmy Raye, the Chargers' director of player personnel told The San Diego Union-Tribune. "He's a tough guy. He has an edge to him."
Mouton was Michigan's first player picked in the 2011 draft. He's the first Wolverines linebacker to be drafted since Shawn Crable in 2008. Michigan has had at least one player drafted every year since 1961.
Pete Bigelow covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
Macabre Sunset
Sun, May 1, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.
Glad to see him get a chance, though perhaps he'll face too much pressure as a second-round pick. It's the only pick in the entire draft that CBS gave an F to in its grading. The experts had him rated at the bottom of the seventh round, and a 50/50 chance of making a practice squad next year.
rensational
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 5:37 a.m.
Pleasant surprise, as I didn't think he'd be drafted that early. Very good to see that the former regime didn't completely mess up everything...Brandon Graham 1st round last year, and now Mouton 2nd round this year. Here's hoping Hoke and staff can help the players who will be coming out next year to develop into solid NFL draft picks. I'm kind of tired of having, like, two guys drafted every year now, not to mention seeing the SEC and Big 12 whip the Big Ten in the draft every time now in part because of Michigan's downfall. Best part is we're even with Ohio State in the draft now, hahaha! They've only had Heyward drafted in the 1st two days, and he was barely a 1st round pick, plus the analysts are close to calling Beanie Wells a bust (the Cards took RB Ryan Williams). If Mouton had been better coached, he probably would have been 1st round, as well. I've also got to throw out there that with each passing draft the last few years, I feel more and more like becoming a Lions fan. They are having the best draft of any team so far, and it's exciting.
Jaysham
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 2:44 a.m.
I'm happy for Mouton and I think he will have a good career in the NFL because he will have way better coaching than the garbage scheme he had to run under the wcihmf! GO BLUE!
Gwhizz
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
Congrats to Jonas!! Hope he's an exceptional NFL player. Now if the NFL could only get their act together... GO BLUE!!!