Lane Photo Gallery: http://www.nsudemons.com/photo_gallery.aspx?gallery=101

Seahawks Say: http://blog.seahawks.com/2012/04/28/sizing-up-jeremy-lane/

NATCHITOCHES -- Cornerback Jeremy Lane became the latest Northwestern State football player headed to the National Football League when he was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks as the second pick in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft Saturday afternoon.

Lane, a 6-0, 184-pounder from Tyler, Texas-Tyler John Tyler High School, was the 172nd pick overall. Entering the NFL, he joins fellow NSU alumni Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee, beginning his 10th season, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Demetress Bell, beginning his first year with the Eagles after four in Buffalo, the last three as the starting left tackle.

"It's a dream come true," said Lane. "The wait is over. I wasn't really nervous until the fifth round ended. I was told I could go between the third and fifth rounds. I think I should have gone earlier, but I am still very blessed."

Lane didn't see his name flash up on television's live coverage because he was tending to his baby daughter Jaya.

"I was watching, but my little girl had a problem and I had to tend to her, so I didn't see it on TV. My phone rang right after it showed up, though. Seattle wasn't a surprise, except that they didn't call until they were going to announce my name. It was going to be either them, Houston or Chicago, and the other two were calling and telling me they were going to get me," he said.

Seattle was one of the eight teams to bring Lane in for a pre-draft visit.

"They have a real good coaching staff and it's a great city," he said. "Their fans are great. Their DB coach (Kris Richard) is real cool and very impressive. I can't wait to get up there and learn from him."

A four-year letterman for the Demons, Lane had 138 career tackles, 24 pass breakups, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries while playing safety and cornerback. He started 14 times, including 10 of 11 games at cornerback in 2011, making 43 tackles with two interceptions, three breakups and two fumble recoveries. He was also a special teams standout on kick and punt coverage as he was chosen for the defensive "Most Improved" award at the Demon Football Awards Banquet.

"I do want to give special thanks to coach Peve (head coach Bradley Dale Peveto) and my position coach, DeVon Lockett. They have been real influential. All of the coaches and my teammates helped me get to this point.

"Being a Demon played a big role. NSU was one of the few teams interested in me coming out of high school. They gave me the opportunity to play Division I football, and while I was a Demon they taught me discipline, a never-give-up attitude, and the blue-collar approach. Those characteristics are very important for me," he said.

Lane's draft stock began to climb during his senior season. He drew attention after making nine tackles, including a sack that was nearly a safety, in a Sept. 10 game against LSU. Interest began to spike when he impressed in two post-season all-star games, winning Defensive Player of the Game honors at the Jan. 16 Casino Del Sol All-Star Game with eight tackles and a pass breakup.

"After my two all-star games, the buzz started picking up. After my pro days, I put up the numbers I needed and I felt things were going my way," he said.
 
He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash and had a 42-inch vertical leap at the Demons' March 29 Pro Day, with a 10-10 standing broad jump and a 4.14 20-yard shuttle time.

The Seahawks "expect me to get some playing time this year at corner," said Lane, who is also counting on being a special teams contributor. He will report for his first worktouts in Seattle in a couple of weeks.

"Can't wait to get started," he said.

Jeremy Lane
Northwestern State (La.)
Cornerback • 6-0 • 184 • 4L
Tyler, Tex. • Tyler John Tyler HS

Jersey No. 1 in 2011
 
Versatile defensive back and special teams factor on kick and punt coverage. Also a threat on kick blocks. Very skilled in press coverage. Physical player who delivered more than his share of big hits in his career. Played safety and cornerback at Northwestern State under former LSU defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto, the Demons' head coach in Johnson's final 3 seasons. Sam Houston State DC Scott Stoker was NSU's head coach in 2007-08 and signed him.  Chosen Defensive Player of the Game honors with 8 tackles and a pass breakup in the Casino Del Sol College Football All-Star Game Jan. 16.  On March 29 at NSU's Pro Day, Lane was best in four categories (including a 4.48 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical leap) and improved his marks in five tests (40, vertical jump, a 10-10 broad jump, a 4.14 20-yard shuttle, and 12 consecutive 225-pound bench presses) since a workout earlier in the month at Louisiana-Lafayette.
 
Demons' NFL History: Current Buffalo Bills CB Terrence McGee (2004 Pro Bowl KR) and Philadelphia Eagles OT Demetress Bell continue a rich tradition of productive pro players out of Northwestern State. Bell was NSU's last NFL Draft pick (7^th round, 2008, Buffalo) and has started for the past three years for the Bills at LT.  McGee is the eighth Demons' alumnus to reach the Pro Bowl. Pro Football  Hall of Fame TE Jackie Smith (Cardinals, 1966-70) headlines the group, which includes QB Bobby Hebert (Falcons, 2003), RB John Stephens (Patriots, 1988), WR Mark Duper (Dolphins, 1983, 1984, 1986), RB Joe Delaney (Chiefs, 1981), FB Charlie Tolar (Oilers, 1961, 1962) and WR Charlie Hennigan (Oilers, 1961-65).  S Mike Green is the only previous Demons alumnus to have played for Seattle (2006-07). Saints DL coach Bill Johnson and Eagles strength coach Barry Rubin are former Demon football players.
 
 
Career totals:  43 games, 14 starts, 138 tackles (97 solo), 24 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries
 
2011:  Starter at cornerback (10 games, missed 1 with an injury) 43 tackles, 29 solos, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble forced, 5 QB hurries … 3 tackles, pass breakup in opening win over Delta State (2010 D2 finalist, 2011 semifinalist) … 9 tackles, 1 sack (a near safety) at then No. 2-ranked LSU on 9/10/11 … 5 hits at SMU … 5 hits, forced fumble, and recovered that fumble in 34-0 league win at Nicholls State … missed McNeese State game with an injury …  team's special teams player of the week vs. Lamar after he downed 3 punts inside the 10, two inside the 5 … had 3 hits, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup on defense in that game … 3 hits, and an interception along with a pass breakup in a 51-17 rout of Southeastern Louisiana … 3 tackles in a 23-10 victory at Texas State … 4 hits, pass breakup in loss to FCS playoff entry Central Arkansas … 2 tackles in loss to FCS finalist Sam Houston State … 4 tackles and an interception in season-ending loss to Stephen F. Austin … coaches presented him the defensive “Most Improved Award.”

2010:  Had 33 tackles, 22 of those solos... played in all 11 games with four starts... one pass interception and returned for 15 yards... led the team with 12 pass break ups... also had a quarterback hurry and recovered a fumble... posted a season-high seven stops against McNeese State... interception was against Southeastern Louisiana.

2009:  Played in nine games and collected 23 tackles… four tackles against Houston…gathered five tackles at Baylor… and three tackles each versus Central Arkansas and McNeese... also returned one kick for 13 yards.

2008:  Recorded 39 tackles, 28 solos, in playing all 12 games… had two tackles for a loss, one interception, a fumble recovery and eight pass breakups - second most on the team… had a career-high eight stops against Stephen F. Austin in the season finale… had seven stops, all solos, against Sam Houston State… picked off his only pass of the season at Central Arkansas.

High School:  As a senior, earned first team all-district honors as a defensive back… a star on his school's track team in the 400 meters, 200 meters, long jump and on the 4x100 relay team.

Personal:  Born July 14, 1990… son of Ernest Johnson and Latistia Lane… one brother, Tray Clark, and a sister, Amber Jackson… majoring in criminal justice ... nicknamed "J-Lane"
 
Lane's Career Stats
- Defense
Year    G          T          A          Tot      TFL     Sack    FF        FR       Int       PBU     Blk
2008   12        28        11        39        2          0          0          1          1-2      8          0
2009   9          18        5          23        0          0          0          0          0          1          0
2010   11        22        11        33        0          0          0          1          1-15    12        0
2011   10        29        14        43        1          0.5       1          2          2-24    3          0
Totals 42        97        41        138     3          0.5       1          3          4-41    24        0
 
Game Highs
Tackles – 9 at LSU (Sept. 10, 2011)
TFLs - 1 three times (last at LSU, Sept. 10, 2011)
Interceptions - 1, four times (last vs. Stephen F. Austin, Nov. 19, 2011)
PBUs - 3 vs. Samford (Sept. 11, 2010)
 
Kick Returns
2011   3-44, 14.7 avg., long of 25, 1 fumble
2009 - 1-13