UM ‘backer signs with Redskins

ORONO – Jermaine Walker remembers his first season at the University of Maine.

Walker thought he would play immediately for the Black Bear football team, but was behind future NFL linebacker Stephen Cooper.

The time spent learning from Cooper, now with the San Diego Chargers, was instrumental in Walker’s development. The 6-foot, 232-pounder from Teaneck, N.J., on Monday became the third UMaine player to go pro, agreeing to terms with the Washington Redskins.

He’ll travel to Washington, D.C., Thursday for the Redskins’ rookie mini-camp.

While teammates Kevin McMahan and Montell Owens got their news Sunday, Walker didn’t get the call until Monday.

“I found out this [Monday] morning, after a nerve-wracking night,” said Walker, an All-Atlantic 10 first-team pick last fall after making a team-leading 114 tackles.

“There were so many linebackers in the draft that I thought they might just overlook the Division I-AA linebacker from Maine, no matter what his stats or what they see or hear,” he said.

Also Monday, Former Portland High and Boston College quarterback Quinton Porter signed a free-agent deal with the Houston Texans.

McMahan, a senior wide receiver from Rochester, N.Y., was drafted in the seventh round (255th overall) Sunday by the Oakland Raiders. Owens, a senior tailback from Wilmington, Del., signed a free-agent deal with Jacksonville.

“As happy as these guys are right here, there’s 70 other guys in the locker room happier for them and motivated by it as well,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “They’re thinking, ‘these are teammates, guys I practiced with and look at the chance they’re getting. I think I can do that.'”

Walker, McMahan and Owens have worked diligently chasing the NFL dream.

“[Walker] didn’t have a chance to impact the scouts like Kevin did with his speed and Montell did with his explosiveness,” UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove said. “Jermaine is a feisty football player who has good instincts and makes plays.”

Walker emulated Cooper and former UMaine safety Brandon McGowan, who played last season as a rookie with Chicago.

“[Cooper] showed me that there’s a process of getting better,” Walker said, that “you can’t just come in and be good.”

McMahan, UMaine’s first draftee since 1990, owes a debt of gratitude to former UMaine standout Dave Cusano. The assistant track coach and strength and conditioning coach at UMaine trained McMahan and Owens for much of the past year.

McMahan ran a speedy 4.3-second 40-yard dash and Owens also turned in a personal best – with pro scouts looking on.

“[Cusano] put in a lot of time, a lot of effort, to train me for free, to teach me everything that he’s studied for so long,” McMahan said. “It’s improved my 40 so much and that’s really where I got drafted.”

Cosgrove said the recent attention garnered by UMaine players is also a function of the program’s tough schedule.

“Kevin caught the winning touchdown against Mississippi State. Montell had four carries for 28 yards on the winning drive, and Jermaine and Brandon [McGowan] were our defensive leaders,” Cosgrove said.

“The program itself has prospered to the point where they have been put in significant football games.”