Last week, the company that employs NFLPA Contract Advisor Joel Segal (Lagardère Unlimited) shifted the balance of power in the world of athlete representation by acquiring Scottsdale, Arizona-based Gaylord Sports Management Group. While Lagardère Unlimited’s football division will gain strength through the acquisition, it is not as if it was struggling in any way. In fact, Segal has steered one of the most powerful ships in the world of NFL player representation for many years.
I have already reported Segal’s signing of Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden and South Dakota offensive tackle Tom Compton. In addition to those two players, Segal will represent Chris Rainey, Jerel Worthy, Trumaine Johnson, and Bruce Irvin in the 2012 NFL Draft. And I am sure that he still has at least another player who will come on board.
Chris Rainey is from my alma mater, the University of Florida. The running back with blazing speed has the ability to break big plays. Perhaps he does not make it as a running back at the next level, but he may be able to be a special kick/punt returner. He is not tall, but neither is Darren Sproles. In fact, Sproles is about 3 inches smaller than Rainey. NFLDraftsScout.com lists Rainey as the 20th best running back in his class.
Jerel Worthy is an underclassman NFL Draft entry who was a defensive tackle at Michigan State. He was a First-team All-American and is rated 20th on Mel Kiper’s Big Board. NFLDraftScout.com ranks Worthy as the 4th best defensive tackle in the Draft and the 19th best player overall.
Trumaine Johnson is a cornerback from Montana who actually looks similar to Montana’s mascot on his old NFLDraftScout profile. He was selected to the 2011 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches’ All-America Team and could be as high as a 2nd round pick.
Bruce Irvin played in that high scoring Orange Bowl, but not on the offense. However, he was on the winning team (West Virginia). Irvin is an outside linebacker who was selected All-BIG EAST Conference First Team in 2011. He was a junior college transfer who really thrived in WVU’s defense. Here is some video on Irvin from the Orange Bowl.
