Bullocks' NFL stock rises
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 - 01:51:22 pm CST
NU's Daniel Bullocks celebrates as he scores against Wake Forest. (AP File)
Daniel Bullocks clearly feels comfortable with his future, whether it’s in the NFL or otherwise. Perhaps his confidence and self-assurance help explain why NFL teams appear to have taken a keen interest in the former Nebraska safety during this crucial three-month period before the April 29-30 NFL Draft.
“I don’t have anything to lose right now,” Bullocks said. “I have my degree. My brother’s playing in the NFL. I don’t have any worries.”
His mind free of stress, Bullocks impressed NFL Draft gurus Gil Brandt and Mel Kiper Jr. last week with strong practices leading to the Senior Bowl on Saturday in Mobile, Ala. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Bullocks capped the week with an eye-opening performance in the annual college all-star game, recovering two muffed punts — one in the end zone for a touchdown, the other to set up a touchdown.
At least 750 NFL representatives — general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches, personnel directors, scouts, agents, etc. — descended on Mobile last week. Bullocks played for the North squad, coached by the Tennessee Titans’ staff.
“I think he improved his draft status,” said Brandt, senior analyst for NFL.com and former player personnel director for the Dallas Cowboys. “He definitely took a step forward. That young man did the right thing by staying in school for his senior year. I know this, he’ll be drafted a lot higher than he would’ve been drafted had he left after his junior year.”
Added Kiper: “Bullocks had a nice week down there. He’s a productive player. He covered well, made plays. He’s a good tackler.”
Kiper projects Bullocks as a second-round selection, which puts him on the same plane as twin brother Josh Bullocks, who left Nebraska after his junior season in 2004 and was drafted in the second round (40th pick overall) by the New Orleans Saints. Playing free safety this past season, Josh Bullocks ranked fifth on the Saints with 67 tackles.
Daniel Bullocks, meanwhile, completed his college career at Nebraska in 2005 by ranking second on the squad with 83 tackles, including eight in the Huskers’ Alamo Bowl victory against Michigan. A co-captain last season, his 22 career pass breakups are the most ever by a Husker safety.
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He said he traveled to Mobile “with the attitude that I wanted to showcase my talent.”
“I showed I can cover,” he said. “I showed I can make plays on the deep ball. I showed I can make plays in the box. I showed I can get to the football.”
Bullocks said during the week he spoke with representatives from no fewer than 15 NFL teams, including sit-down meetings with general managers from five teams — Atlanta, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati and Miami.
Bullocks plans to spend a few days in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn., before returning to a training center in Newark, N.J., where he’ll continue to train and perform the same drills that will be used at the Feb. 23-27 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. In addition to Bullocks, three other ex-Husker standouts will be among 325 participants at the combine — I-back Cory Ross and defensive tackles Titus Adams and Le Kevin Smith.
About 70 percent of the combine’s participants typically are selected in the NFL Draft, Brandt said.
In Bullocks’ case, it appears the question isn’t whether he’ll be drafted, but when he’ll be drafted.
“It just seems like it’s all falling into place right now,” Bullocks said.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
