VALDOSTA – The 2008 NFL Draft came and went, and despite much speculation, no Blazers were chosen. But it didn’t take long for a trio of Valdosta State football players to be called up to the next level.
Cornerback Maurice Leggett, offensive lineman Gerald Davis, and quarterback Willie Copeland have all been invited to NFL rookie mini-camps.
Leggett has already signed with the team that invited him to their camp, the Kansas City Chiefs. The five-foot-eleven, 188 pound cornerback was a big addition to an aging Chiefs secondary.
Last year Leggett was named to the All-Gulf South Conference first team after totaling 46 tackles, five interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.
He also tied the school record for passes broken up with 15 in 2006.
Willie Copeland, Valdosta State’s signal caller for the past two seasons, is now on his way to New York.
After a lot of talk about getting drafted in the late rounds, Copeland had to wait until a phone call from the Miami Dolphins following the draft.
His stint as a Dolphin was short-lived though, as he was let go following mini-camp. But his road to the NFL lives on this weekend as Copeland travels north for the New York Giants rookie min-camp.
The Giants were one of the first teams to contact Copeland, and even invited him to their facilities prior to the draft. He will be competing with veterans David Carr, Anthony Wright and Jared Lorenz and rookie Andre Woodson for a spot on the team.
As a senior, Copeland threw for 3,160 yards and 28 touchdowns with a 63.6 completion percentage.
Even the Canadian Football League has called for Copeland. The Edmonton Eskimos, who are celebrating their 60th season this year, are also looking to add depth at the position.
Gerald Davis also got the call from the NFL, but Davis went down to the New Orleans Saints. Davis started in 36 of his 46 games as a Blazer, including all 14 of the 2007 season.
The Saints’ camp, which starts Friday, will feature their six draft picks, 16 rookie free agent signees and 36 other rookies invited to the camp.
Davis, along with Leggett, played in both of Valdosta State’s national championships.
Local Sports
Blazers try to move on to next level
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All-Region teams announced
Lowndes was one win away from a trip to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, and the success by the Vikings this season showed when the All-Region 1 baseball teams were announced Monday.
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Lowndes tennis dominates
Lowndes’ tennis team dominated the All-Region 1 teams, with coach Heath Phelps garnering Coach of the Year honors on both the girls’ and boys’ side.
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Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby a success
The 13th annual Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby held May 11 drew 150 children from ages 3 to 15 who competed for trophies while learning how to fish.
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Valdosta's Alakulppi ties for 2nd at state
Valdosta freshman golfer Luukas Alakulppi fired a 71 to finish in a tie for second at the Class AAAAAAA state golf tournament in Tifton.
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Brooks County's Parrish in Rivals Top 100
Brooks County rising senior Malkolm Parrish is ranked the 73rd best high school football prospect in the nation, according to the release of the Rivals.com Top 100.
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Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
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Prince Automotive donates new baseball equipment
Prince Automotive of Valdosta is supporting the Valdosta community through its partnership with the Valdosta/Lowndes County Recreation Department. The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, and a monetary donation.
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Needmore holds final races before big Memorial Day weekend
Saturday night racing at Needmore Speedway saw some new faces in victory lane.
That wasn’t the case in the Late Model division, as Valdosta's Gene Ross drove to victory once again, but not without some close competition from Steven Roberts who came in second.
In the Limited Late Model class, it was another win for Cole Exum, with Gene Maine finishing second in the NAPA Auto Parts special. -
VSU softball wins South Region, headed to nationals
For the third time in four years, and second in a row, Valdosta State’s softball team will play in the national championship tournament.
The Blazers won their third South Region championship Saturday, beating Alabama-Huntsville 8-3 in game three of the best-of-three series at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park. -
VSU baseball season comes to an end
Delta State scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Valdosta State 7-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at the UT Baseball Field Saturday afternoon.
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