ORONO, Maine — Jerron McMillian of the University of Maine became the highest drafted player in program history on Saturday afternoon when he was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the National Football League Draft.
The 5-foot-11, 203-pound safety was the 133rd pick overall. He is the 14th UMaine player chosen in the NFL draft and is among 44 who have signed NFL contracts.
Waterville native John Huard had been the program’s highest draft pick before McMillian. He was a fifth-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos in 1967.
Two of McMillian’s classmates, safety Trevor Coston and tailback Pushaun Brown, also have agreed to free-agent contracts. Coston signed with the Chicago Bears, while Brown agreed to terms with the New York Jets, where former UMaine star Mike DeVito is a key contributor.
“It’s real exciting,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “Regardless of the round, you’re excited for the young man, the opportunity that somebody wants you.”
McMillian anchored the Black Bears’ secondary during the last three seasons. McMillian, from Hillside, N.J., was an All-Colonial Athletic Association first-team selection in 2011 after ranking second on the Black Bears and fifth among CAA defensive backs with 92 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss of yardage. He also made an interception and broke up five passes.
Prior to this season, the last UMaine draft pick was Daren Stone (Atlanta Falcons, sixth round) in 2007. Kevin McMahan was the last pick of the 2006 draft. He went to the Oakland Raiders.
“There’s obviously been a lot of interest in Jerron based on his numbers. He got to the combine, did a great job,” Cosgrove said.
Coston received plenty of attention and was on the radar of teams, including the Miami Dolphins, but did not get drafted. He instead joins a long line of former Black Bears who have joined NFL teams as free agents.
While McMillian is considered more of a run-stopper, Coston has proven he can defend the pass. He also could be utilized as a kick returner.
Last fall, the 5-10, 203-pound Coston earned All-CAA first-team recognition as a punt returner (9.7-yard average) and was a second-team pick at defensive back. He ranked third on the team with 83 tackles and had nine pass break-ups.
Coston tied for the league lead with six interceptions in 2011 on his way to fourth-team All-America accolades.
“Everybody in that locker room and in our program will be excited for them,” Cosgrove said. “it is very motivating for us as coaches, we can be participants in the development of a young man to get the opportunity to play on the greatest stage in the country.
Brown (5-10, 210), from North Brunswick, N.J., was UMaine’s leading rusher last season. He carried 226 times for 1,093 yards and scored 11 touchdowns and missed a game due to injury.
“It’s very motivating for the young guys in our program to say, ‘I played with that guy. I was out on the field with this guy,’” Cosgrove said.
UMaine’s active pro players include DeVito, Jovan Belcher, Kansas City; Montell Owens, Jacksonville; Stephen Cooper, San Diego; Lofa Tatupu, now with Atlanta; Matt Mulligan of West Enfield, who recently signed with St. Louis; and Stone, who is with Calgary of the Canadian Football League.
Harold Alfond Stadium vs. Lambeau Field. Jack Cosgrove does not get enough credit for the dreams that have come true for players like Jerron McMillian. This will help recruiting.
Maybe he dose not get enough credit , but me thinks he gets enough pay.
Mulligan signed with the Rams like 3 weeks ago. Get the facts straight!
Hence why McMillian only missed 1 game because of his “lounge” act. What a joke. Anybody else and it would have been much more of a suspension, but because he’s a potential NFL guy, well, we don’t want to burn that bridge, now do we? The best players can do whatever they want and will still be applauded. Nice leadership up at The U ;)
you mean lack of
Mulligan was never released. He was not tenured. There is a BIG difference between the two. The Jets then offered him a contract which he refused and then decided to sign with the Rams roughly 1 month ago. It would be nice if the BDN would actually take some time to be interested in the only actual Mainer playing in the National Football League.
Congratulations Jerron McMillian and the best of luck to you.
Trevor Coston signed with the Chicago Bears shortly after the draft. Congrats to both and hopefully a couple more of the Maine seniors will get a look. Go Black Bears!
This should help draw alot more kids to Coach Cosgrove program. Great job to Coach Cosgrove and his staff. You are making the people of Maine and UMaine sports proud. Best of luck too McMillian go rip up Lambeau Field. Bob, Jack Cosgrve earns every dime. All we see is what goes on the the field. But the time spent in the off season with recruits and there family getting them to come to UMaine is alot of work and 100’s and 100’s hours are putting this together. We should be thankful that we have Cosgrove at UMaine. We do not want end up like one of the Basketball coach that won 8 games in two yrs not a big draw. We want winning programs and repectful kids here.
Great for Maine Football. McMillian is as advertised and Coston as well.
GO BLUE
PS- Cosgrove isn’t paid enough. Without doubt he should make twice what Whitehead makes.
Oh yea, Jack who has a losing record in 18 yrs or what ever it is and because of his terrible playcalling was the worse football to watch and until this past year should get more money than the hockey coach who manages to put more fans in the hockey rink than the football field than only has 5 0r 6 home games???
Football averages more than football and actually draws in more money from guarantee games. Any Division I University (or fans) that thinks hockey is a bigger priority than football needs to get their act in order.
Besides, Abbott likes Football and Cosgrove more than Whitehead and hockey.
don’t forget Manch Wheeler.. QB for the Buffalo Bills.. or was it linebacker.. maybe it was both right Manch ? and we shouldn’t mention when that was .. should we
So what does the average Maine Tax Payer get out of this? Scholarship refund?
That would work out to be about 10¢ for his four years at UM for each Maine resident. Maine people need to stop being cheap and realize that almost every state funds their state university football team. Don’t like it, move to Vermont.
dumbbar, not a math major are you? must be a lib, always know how to spend others $$$
The UM Athletic Department gets $9.6 million in funding directly from the University (their total budget is almost $17 million). That’s only 2.5% of the UM overall budget. Stop complaining, at least they can make money back unlike other programs.
BTW- Honors math student.
you really think Maine football is making back the $17 million in their total budget? Only the big time college football programs make money. None of Maine’s sports programs make the University money. I support having the sports programs, but if you’re going to claim your a math student, you might want to check your numbers.
The athletic department has the $17 million budget, football gets about $3 mil.
I wonder how much his contract is for
Buck, Mike (1991 – 1995)
Cloutier, Dave (1964 – 1964)
Cooper, Stephen (2003 – 2010)
Cooper, Thurlow (1960 – 1962)
DeVito, Mike (2007 – 2010)
Ellis, Roger (1960 – 1963)
Flynn, Mike (1998 – 2007)
Huard, John (1967 – 1971)
Jones, Dan (1993 – 1995)
Keating, Chris (1979 – 1985)
Mcgeoghan, Phil (2001 – 2001)
McGowan, Brandon (2005 – 2009)
Owens, Montell (2006 – 2010)
Pickering, Clay (1984 – 1987)
Stone, Daren (2007 – 2008)
Strzelczyk, Justin (1990 – 1998)
Wheeler, Manch (1962 – 1962)
Congrats to all these players and Coach Cosgrove and staff! I hate the bleeping Jets, but Mike DeVito has played very well there and now Brown. Good luck to them except on 2 or 3 Sundays a year!
I’m a Packers fan in Maine who’s delighted to see McMillian headed to Green Bay. Hats off to him and Coach Cosgrove!