National Football League

All-Americans almost gone at NFL draft

Published May. 1, 2011 12:34 a.m. ET

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Kendall Hunter's All-America pedigree won't do him any favors in the NFL.

That's OK. At 5-foot-7 and 200 pounds, the Oklahoma State running back has been proving himself his whole life.

He was chosen 115th overall, in the fourth round. It was a couple rounds lower than he envisioned.

''Ever since I started playing the game people doubted me, saying I couldn't do this or do that, (because of my) size,'' Hunter said. ''I played every game with a chip on my shoulder. I use it as motivation.''

Cam Newton, the Associated Press first team All-America quarterback, was the first player taken, two nights ago. All but three eligible players on the first team were taken - even Nebraska kicker Alex Henery.

Unpicked were offensive lineman Chase Beeler, safety Tejay Johnson and punter Chas Henry.

Henery was taken Saturday in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Eagles.

In addition to Newton, first-round picks from the All-America team were: cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, offensive linemen Nate Solder and Gabe Carimi, linebackers Von Miller and Ryan Kerrigan, and defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

Along with Hunter and Henery, safety Quinton Carter was taken by Denver in the fourth round and Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was taken in the sixth round, 185th overall by the New York Giants, one of four All-Americans taken Saturday in the final four rounds.

Jones is used to being doubted, too.

''A lot of teams passed on me, but I'm hungrier than ever to prove myself,'' he said. ''I wasn't highly recruited coming out of high school, but yet I became a four-year starter and an All-American.''

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AP Sports Writers Janie McCauley in San Francisco, and Noah Trister, in East Lansing, Mich., contributed.