University of Maine Alumni who made the NFL Grade

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The University of Maine Black Bears College Football team has been the perfect springboard for several players who have gone on to appear in the NFL.

A host of young talents who started their football journey in Maine have been drafted by some of America’s best NFL teams.

Every year when the draft comes around, fans can place wagers on selections and how they think teams will perform throughout the season. It’s important to research Maine players who could make the grade so that you are aware of any players who may go on to become the next big NFL star.  Click here to read more on the various platforms you can play with and bet on sports, as this is the place to compare and assess the options before making your picks.

This article will profile some of the Black Bears players who have gone on to forge football careers on the biggest stage.

Mike DeVito

DeVito spent eight years in the NFL representing the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, having captained the Black Bears during his formative years. During his time with Maine, he recorded a total of 112 tackles and 16 sacks and earned the All-Atlantic honor at Nose Tackle.

His tough challenges alerted the Jets to his availability in May 2007 after the defensive end was originally undrafted and DeVito secured a roster spot, going on to play in seven games during his maiden campaign. Signing a three-year contract extension in 2009, he went onto record a career-high 28 tackles that season.

De Vito later signed for the Kansas City Chiefs, making 28 appearances between 2013 and 2015.

Montell Owens

Owens majored in kinesiology and biology at Maine University and even minored in jazz performance. He shined on the football field, playing 38 games as a tailback for the Black Bears.

Despite being undrafted in 2006, the fullback was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars and spent six years there, being named in the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2011.

Owens later played for the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears before calling time on his NFL career as he entered his thirties.

Mike Flynn

Center Flynn joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars in 1997 after representing Maine. However, his time with both teams was short-lived. It turned out to be the right move though, as he then signed for the Baltimore Ravens and spent ten years in Maryland.

The highlight came in 2000 when Flynn started the Super Bowl as the Ravens right guard as they defeated the New York Giants in the showpiece fixture at the turn of the century.

Flynn’s final campaign was in 2008 when he was picked up by the New England Patriots.

Matthew Mulligan

Tight end Mulligan was born in Bangor, Maine in 1985 and would go on to represent 10 teams in the NFL. He first enrolled with Husson University before transferring to UoM after a year.

His first foray into the NFL came in 2008 when the Miami Dolphins signed him as an undrafted free agent. However, he was released during the final cuts. Mulligan then spent time with the Tennessee Titans but was again waived in September 2009. He then moved to the New York Jets where he was able to settle for two seasons.

From there, he appeared for the St Louis Rams, the Green Bay Packers, the New England Patriots, the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals. Before calling time on his career, Mulligan also played for the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions.

Summing Up

College Football is the perfect platform for future NFL stars and the University of Maine has played its part in bringing through young talent for the draft. Bettors plotting ways to assess the next big stars and teams should assess college football to help them make sound NFL wagers.

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