Friday, April 27, 2012
Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu Victim Of Prank Draft Call
When the Cincinnati Bengals were on the clock with the No. 27 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu received a phone call from an individual identifying themselves as being with the Bengals who was calling to inform him that he was going to be their pick.
Sanu's draft party reacted as one would expect them to and his agent, Mike McCartney of Chicago-based Priority Sports, tweeted that Sanu was the Bengals' selection. Unfortunately, Sanu was the victim of a prank phone call as the club announced Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler as their selection.
"This is a great kid, I guarantee you, and someone played a cruel joke on him,'' McCartney told Sports Illustrated's Peter King. "It is unreal that someone would do that, but it happened.''
A three-year starter at Rutgers, the 6-foot-1, 211-pound Sanu is a big, physical receiver who caught 210 passes for 2,263 yards and 12 touchdowns with 653 rushing yards and nine touchdowns during his 38-game career. Sanu showed off his strength and explosiveness with 19 reps on the bench press and a 36" vertical jump and 10'6" broad jump at the Combine, but ran a pedestrian time in the 40-yard dash (4.66) which may have hurt his draft stock.
Sanu did run in the 4.5 range at his pro day and, given his size, versatility and production, is expected to come off the board on Friday night.
Brian McIntyre at 11:05 AM