Spartans get calls in later rounds

Who you know matters in this NFL business, too, so it made sense to see the St. Louis Rams draft Michigan State defensive tackle Clifton Ryan on Sunday.

Two former MSU assistant coaches familiar with Ryan occupy the St. Louis staff - quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier and defensive quality control coach Mike Cox. Head coach Scott Linehan was an assistant at Louisville under former MSU head coach John L. Smith.

"From what I understand, coach Cox was fighting for me in the war room," Ryan said of Cox, who joined Linehan in the offseason after Smith and his staff were fired at MSU. "He helped me out a lot, so I'm grateful. I'm just blessed and honored to have my name called."

Ryan went in the fifth round, No. 154 overall. He became the second Spartan picked this year, after quarterback Drew Stanton went in the second round Saturday to the Detroit Lions. Punter Brandon Fields became No. 3, going in the seventh round (No. 225 overall) to Miami.

No one else from MSU was chosen, even though some analysts projected receiver Matt Trannon and offensive lineman Kyle Cook as potential draftees.

They, along with former MSU teammates such as linebacker David Herron Jr., defensive lineman David Stanton, cornerbacks Demond Williams and Greg Cooper, and receivers Jerramy Scott and Kerry Reed, will seek free-agent opportunities.

All should have invitations to various NFL camps this week.

The 6-foot-3, 308-pound Ryan will be back in East Lansing this week, working out in preparation for the Rams' rookie mini-camp on May 11. He's thrilled to have the opportunity after an agonizing couple of days.

"It was hard, because I really wanted to be a first-day pick," said Ryan, a three-year starter at MSU at end and tackle. "Then I thought I would go in the fourth round, and when that didn't happen I got real discouraged."

Then Linehan called. A large group of supporters at Ryan's home in Saginaw - including best friend LaMarr Woodley, a Michigan linebacker who was drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round - erupted in cheers as Ryan's name popped up on ESPN.

"A big, big relief," Ryan said.

Ryan will compete for playing time at nose tackle in the Rams' 4-3 defense. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said that although Ryan "isn't an explosive playmaker" and "lacks elite size," he "will have some value as a situational stuffer."

Cox, who coached linebackers at MSU for all four of Ryan's active seasons, is familiar with Ryan's intangibles. Ryan came to MSU as a linebacker, switched to defensive end, then played tackle out of necessity as a senior - making plays despite an injured calf and a struggling defense around him.

Ryan led MSU with four sacks and 19 quarterback pressures last season. He was an emotional leader at MSU and a co-captain as a junior and senior.

"The one thing that I could verify for the front office here is Clifton Ryan's toughness," Cox said in a statement. "We also liked his ability to stack blocks inside, so we feel like he can help our run defense."

Fields is No. 3 in Big Ten history with a career average of 45.0 yards per punt. He trails only former Spartan Greg Montgomery (45.2) and former Iowa punter Reggie Roby (45.5) - who had a stellar pro career with the Dolphins.

Fields called the pick "a pleasant surprise" even though Miami was the only NFL team who gave him a private workout on MSU's campus.

Contact Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@lsj.com.