Something to prove, once again

April 29, 2005

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

Since completing his career with the Colony Knights, Cole Magner has always had something to prove.

With limited interest from Division I programs, Magner had to prove he could play at the highest level of college football. Even after earning a spot on the Bowling Green State University football squad, Magner had to prove he was a football player. More than once during his freshman season, Magner was refused service during team meals. Some didn't believe he was a football player.

And after a four-year career with Bowling Green State, where he broke multiple school records and finished fourth on the Mid-American Conference career receptions list, Magner still has something to prove. Though more than a dozen National Football League teams were said to be interested in selecting the 2001 Colony High graduate in last weekend's NFL draft, Magner was not chosen.

Now, armed with more motivation, Magner has a place, he can, once again, go try to prove himself.

Late Monday, Magner signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent. The contract is a three-year deal, contingent on Magner making the team. He initially signed for the league minimum with a signing bonus, also a league minimum. Magner could have an opportunity to restructure his deal as early as July.

Magner left Bowling Green, Ohio, yesterday to report to his first mini-camp with the Falcons.

Prior to the 2005 draft, Magner, and his representatives at BTI Sports, had been in contact with at least a dozen NFL teams. Some predicted the former BGSU wide receiver could go anywhere in the fifth, sixth or seventh rounds. Magner said teams were in contact with him and his agent throughout the second day of the draft and about 10 clubs called him during the seventh round alone.

"They were pretty much telling me if you don't get drafted, we want you to sign with us as a free agent," Magner said after finishing a days worth of classes on Wednesday on the Bowling Green State campus. "They pretty much were saying, we want you, but don't want to offer you as much

money."

But as the picks began to add up and the latter rounds of the draft came to a close, Magner was still out there ready to be taken.

"I'm disappointed, just because there were receivers picked that I know I am better than," Magner said.

Nine wide receivers were selected in the final two rounds of the draft. Only two had more career receptions than Magner's 215 catches and just two had a faster 40-yard dash time than Magner's 4.55 seconds. Magner had either a better 40 time or more career catches than all the receivers selected in the final two rounds.

The New York Jets selected Tuskegee wide receiver Harry Williams with the 240th pick. Williams had just eight career receptions. Oregon wideout Marcus Maxwell had only 36 career catches with the Ducks, but was selected by Detroit with the 223rd selection.

Jacksonville, a team said to be interested in drafting Magner, chose Hawaii wide receiver Chad Owens in the sixth round. Owens did have 239 catches in the pass-happy Rainbow Warrior offense, but runs a meager 4.63 in the 40 - a slow time for a receiver with a 5-foot-8 frame.

Once Mr. Irrelevant, the final choice in the NFL draft, was selected, Magner said the phone began to ring and he was contacted by 12 NFL teams.

Magner said he believes teams passed on him in the draft because they thought they could get him cheaper. But money was not the first thing on Magner's mind. Atlanta did not make the highest offer, but he saw the Falcons as the best fit. Magner said he was sold on the Falcons after talking with Atlanta wide receivers coach George Stewart.

"The main reason I went with Atlanta is they have two open spots and (Stewart) fully expects me to make the team," Magner said.

After the three-day Atlanta mini-camp, which begins today, Magner will return to Bowling Green and take his final exams. He will then return to Atlanta and re-join the team.

Magner will graduate from BGSU with a degree in business in May.