Two former Missouri Tigers were taken in the 2006 NFL Draft and to no one’s surprise, former MU quarterback Brad Smith was the first to go. The Jets grabbed smith in the fourth round. Smith has indicated that he’d like to be drafted as a quarterback and given the chance to play QB, but the Jets drafted him as a wide receiver. At Mizzou, Smith became the first quarterback in NCAA history to pass for 8,000 yards and rush for 4,000. He is MU’s all-time leading passer and rusher.
One of the players who helped Smith the player he was is former MU lineman Tony Palmer. He was taken in the seventh round by the Rams. Palmer was a three-time All- Big 12 selection.
MU linebacker Derrick Ming signed a free agent deal with the Bills.
Central Missouri St. wide receiver Delanie Walker was a sixth-round selection to the 49ers. Walker caught 61 passes for 724 yards and six touchdowns. But what makes him intriguing on the NFL level is his prowess on special teams. The 2005 All-MIAA first-team had 41 yards on three punt returns and 435 yards with a touchdown on 17 kickoff returns (25.6 avg.).
Northwest Missouri St. defensive end Dave Tollefeson was the third-to-last player taken in the draft, going to the Packers. He led the Bearcats with 12.5 sacks this season and was a NCAA Division-II All-American selection. He was also named the MIAA Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Tollefson helped lead the NWMSU football team to the NCAA D-II championship game.
