Although their days wearing winged helmets are over, former Michigan football players Rod Payne and Will Carr will still be teammates this fall.
Both were drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in this weekend's NFL Draft.
Offensive lineman Damon Denson, chosen by New England, was the only other Michigan player selected in the draft. Linebacker Jarrett Irons, projected by several draft analysts as a third- or fourth-round pick, went undrafted.
Payne, the first Wolverine to be selected, was the 16th pick of the third round. This year's draft marked the first time since 1991 that a Michigan player was not chosen in the first round.
Denson, projected by some to go as early as round two or three, slid to the fourth round. Carr was not chosen until the seventh and final round of the draft.
Payne was rated by many as the best center in the draft, and pre-draft projections listed him as a possible first-rounder. As it played out, the 6-foot-4, 292-pounder went later than anticipated.
Irons can still latch on with a team as a free agent before the start of next season. Other Michigan players considered to be potential free agent signees are offensive tackle Thomas Guynes, placekicker Remy Hamilton and defensive backs Woody Hankins and Chuck Winters.
FILE PHOTO/Daily
Michigan's Will Carr will now get paid for taking this kind of abuse. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, yesterday.