This past week has been a proud one for the Eastern Michigan Football team. Lattarius Thomas has signed with the Indianapolis Colts and Jabar Westerman has been drafted by the CFL.
Thomas has signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Colts and is headed to a rookie minicamp. While Thomas was at EMU, he spent his last two years in the safety position and received a third team All-Mid-American Conference honor.
In his 2011 season, Thomas started all 12 games in the secondary and snagged 79 tackles, four pass breakups and one forced fumble. He led the Eagles in unassisted tackles and in his whole career at Eastern he recorded 140 tackles.
Thomas had missed most of the 2010 season but the NCAA gave him a medical hardship season.
During the Eagles’ media day Thomas said, “It’s another chance. Another chance to play this game. I’m going to take it for what it’s worth and play until I can’t play anymore.”
In the CFL Canadian Draft, Westerman was speechless as he was chosen by the British Columbia Lions as the second overall pick.
The 2010 football season at Eastern saw Westerman pick up 22 tackles and during the 2011 season, he totaled 26 tackles and four sacks.
The B.C. Lions traded up in the draft just so they could gain Westerman and swapped their first pick with the Edmonton Eskimos for the second pick overall.
The B.C. Lions head coach, Mike Benevides, believes that Westerman will be a fantastic asset to the team due to his athleticism, length, size and the way he can make explosive plays.
In a conference call with reporters of The Vancouver Sun, Westerman said, “I really didn’t think anything could happen so early. It’s just a great start.”
Many of the coaches see him as an important player and were thrilled with the pick and having Westerman on the defensive line. Westerman is the highest Eagle taken in the CFL draft.
“Hopefully I’m ready to go,” Westerman said.
There is no doubt that both of the players will play a major role in helping their teams win games and make Eastern Michigan even more proud than it already is.
