HAWK TALK

May 2013

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Packers Draft Hyde, 3 Others Ink NFL Contract U By Matt Weitzel & Darren Miller niversity of Iowa senior defensive back Micah Hyde was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of last weekend's NFL Draft. Hyde was the 159th player picked overall. With the selection, Iowa has had at least one draftee each year since 1978. It marks the sixth consecutive season that a Hawkeye defensive back has been chosen in the NFL Draft, an active streak that ranks second in the country behind LSU (seven). Last season, Shaun Prater was taken by Cincinnati in the fifth round and Jordan Bernstine went to Washington in the seventh round. Hyde was named the top defensive back in the Big Conference last season, winning the TatumWoodson Award and being named first team allconference by both coaches and media. He finished his career with eight interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns as a sophomore in 2010. Hyde is the 52nd player coached by Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa to be selected in the NFL Draft.  He joins two other former Hawkeyes who are currently playing for the Packers: Bryan Bulaga is an offensive lineman and Mike Daniels is a defensive lineman. In an article published on Packers.com last weekend, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt said that Fostoria, Ohio, native is the right fit for the team's young cornerback group. "He can play corner, he can play nickel, dime. That's where a lot of his value is at. We're going to bring him in and see what he can do," said Whitt.  "I liked what he did. He didn't let balls get over his head. He understands football. I like bringing guys in that have a football IQ. There are a number of things he has that we like." If Hyde sees limited time in the secondary his rookie campaign, expect to see him on special teams. "I know special teams are vital on a team," Hyde said to Packers.com. "I can do that. I consider myself a very smart player. I think I have a real knack for the game." Other Hawkeyes who were not drafted, but signed free agent contracts after the draft include quarterback James Vandenberg (Minnesota Vikings); wide receiver Keenan Davis (Cleveland Browns), and offensive lineman Matt Tobin (Philadelphia Eagles). Vandenberg started 12 games in 2012 and all 25 games over the past two seasons. The Keokuk, Iowa, native ranks among Iowa's top-seven quarterbacks in career completions, attempts, passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense. Tobin, a former walk-on, started all 12 games as a senior, playing both guard and tackle, and started the final 22 games of his career over the past two seasons. Davis had 571 receiving yards on 47 receptions in 2012.  The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, caught 112 passes for 1,470 yards in his career, which ranks 19th in school history. Over the past 11 years, 106 of 118 (90 percent) of Iowa's senior starters have been drafted in the NFL or signed NFL free agent contracts. 41

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