Mohamed Sanu Taken in 3d Round NFL Draft

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu races past Tulane safety Shakiel Smith for a 2010 touchdown in Piscataway. NY Daily News

Rutgers University’s record-setting wide receiver Mohamed Sanu will be making his catches for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. The junior All-American was picked by the Bengals in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft on April 27. Sanu, who was born in Sierra Leone, holds the RU and Big East career record for pass receptions (210). He was the 83rd overall pick.

“There really isn’t anything Mo can’t do on the football field,” said Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood in a press release. “He embodies what our players are all about — he is smart, fast and tough. For all the reasons the NFL loves Ray Rice, they will love Mo. The Cincinnati Bengals are getting a terrific person — and player — in Mo Sanu.”

Sanu had a record-setting season in 2011 helping the Scarlet Knights go 9-4 and win the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, 27-13, over Iowa State. The ex-Viking hauled in 115 passes, setting a new RU and Big East single season record. He also set a school and conference mark for receptions in a single game, 16 (against Ohio). His 1,206 receiving yards were third best in RU history. Of his 115 catches, 69 were for first downs, which personified his value to the Scarlet Knights. He caught seven touchdown passes.

Post-season honors followed Sanu’s remarkable 2011 season. He was the Maxwell Club Tri-State Player of the Year and a unanimous All-Big East selection. He was named a Fourth Team All-America selection by Phil Steele and an honorable mentionAll America pick by SI.com. Sanu won two major team awards in 2011 as he was named the team’s most valuable offensive player in addition to winning the Homer Hazel Trophy as the team’s most valuable player.

Sanu gave up his final year of eligibility to enter the 2012 draft. In his first two years, he ran the “wildcat” for the Knights with success. He scored nine rushing touchdowns and ran for 653 yards. His pass-receiving yards were 2,263, fourth highest in program history.

The draft began on a sour note for Sanu however, as he received a prank call by someone posing as Cincinnati owner Mike Brown claiming to inform Sanu that he would be the 27th overall selection, in the first round. He in fact was not chosen until two rounds later, ironically by the Bengals once again. Well, all is well that ends well. Congratulations to brother Mohamed.

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