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Michael Conroy / AP
Nevada linebacker Brandon Marshall runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012.
Published Saturday, April 28, 2012 | 2:11 p.m.
Updated Saturday, April 28, 2012 | 5:19 p.m.
After two days of waiting to hear their names called in the NFL Draft, five players with ties to Southern Nevada were selected on Saturday.
Outside linebacker Brandon Marshall, a Cimarron-Memorial High graduate and UNR senior, was the first local taken when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him No. 142 overall with the seventh pick of the fifth round. Despite being undersized, the 6-foot-1, 242-pound Marshall, who started the past three seasons for UNR, had a team-best 102 tackles in 2011.
Also in the fifth round, former Shadow Ridge player Korey Toomer was picked by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 154 overall pick. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Toomer played the past two seasons at Idaho, earning team MVP honors in 2011 by leading the Vandal in sacks (four) and tackles for loss (10.5).
Also in the fifth round, Canyon Springs High graduate Juron Criner was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 168 pick. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Criner caught 209 passes for 2,859 yards and 32 touchdowns during a four-year career at the University of Arizona.
In the sixth round, defensive lineman Billy Winn of Las Vegas High was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 205 overall pick. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Winn had 131 career tackles and 15.5 sacks from his defensive tackle position for Boise State.
Winn, who was projected to be selected as early as the second round, will likely be moved to defensive end with the Brown. Winn, who was part of two state championship teams at Las Vegas, was one of school-record six Boise State players drafted.
In the seventh round, safety D.J. Campbell of Cheyenne High in North Las Vegas was picked by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 216 pick. Campbell, who played in college at Cal, is the second safety from Cheyenne to be picked in as many years. Last year, Quinton Carter went to the Denver Broncos in the fourth round, posting 56 tackles as a rookie in helping Denver reach the playoffs.
No UNLV players were selected, but wide receiver Phillip Payne signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers. UNR had a school-record three picked. Last year, three former Las Vegas area players were picked — DeMarco Murray (Cowboys), Lawrence Guy (Packers) and Carter.
Also, former Desert Pines High defensive lineman Michael Cosgrove signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions. Cosgrove had 111 career tackles at 7.5 sacks in four years at Idaho.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.
Congratulations to these young men and their families! Best of luck..
First of all congrats to those who made it in. A dream come true.
Secondly, since UNLV didn't get anybody in I think Hauck deserves a raise and another extension on his contract. But, I also think he deserves a raise for winning the Scarlet and Gray game...... I hear the opposing team was awesome!
Because Hauck recruited so many of UNLV's seniors from this past year.
Congrats to Phillip Payne for signing with the Chargers.
This does not surprise anybody.
Congratulations to Deante Purvis for signing with San Francisco. Hopefully his kick returning skills will earn him a long term slot with the Niners.
Along with Philip Payne, that makes two Rebels who have signed with NFL teams. Hauck needs to at least double this number next year.
Mr. Winn was chosen as the 8th best defensive lineman in the draft by an expert NFL sportswriter.
8. BILLY WINN Boise State 6-312 294 4.91 2-3
Never played up to his potential. "Pain in the (expletive)," one scout said. "Got all the talent in the world. Another underachiever. He won't go first round, but he's got first-round ability." Big and athletic enough to fit any scheme. Started 41 of 53 games, finishing with 131 tackles (3512 for loss) and 1512 sacks. Out of Las Vegas. "He has quick hands for getting off blockers, cutting up in the hole and making plays behind the line," another scout said. "He flashes. He's plenty big enough and fast enough. Not much pass rush." Besides intensity, his other drawbacks are short arms (3212) and small hands (9).
Any young men dreaming of a future NFL career care to take a guess why Mr. Winn lasted until the sixth round based on the above critique?
Perhaps Mr. Winn will recognize what needs improvement before history passes him by.
NEVADA signed four players on Saturday, not three.
Gang: Updated the story. Michael Cosgrove from Desert Pines High and Idaho signed a free agent deal with the Detroit Lions.