Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Bunting Goes To The Bucs In Second Round
4/26/2019 11:04:00 PM | Football
Cornerback is the third-highest NFL pick in CMU football history
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan cornerback Sean Bunting was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday night in the NFL draft.
The Bucs took Bunting, who hails from suburban Detroit's Macomb Township and prepped at Chippewa Valley High School, with the seventh pick (39th overall) in the second round. Bunting was the fourth cornerback taken in the draft.
Bunting is the third-highest selection in CMU football history behind Eric Fisher and Joe Staley, both of whom are offensive tackles who went in the first round. He is the first player from a Mid-American Conference school taken in the 2019 draft.
Fisher was the No. 1 overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, while Staley was taken by the San Francisco 49ers with the 28th pick in the 2007 draft.
Bunting, who is listed at 6 foot, 195 pounds, gave up his senior season at CMU to enter the draft. He was a First Team All-Mid-American Conference selection in 2018 when he made 37 tackles and two interceptions. He was earned the Chippewas' Defensive Player of the Year Award.
In 38 career games at CMU, Bunting made 104 tackles including 72 solos, along with nine interceptions and 24 passes defended.
"He's a very, very gifted athlete," Tampa Bay Director of Player Personnel John Spytek said. "You see all the measurables … He's fast and he's quick and he's got great natural body control. He's got great ball skills.
"When he plays the ball, you see a guy who can really play the ball. I think if you're going to take a corner that high, he needs to take the ball back."
ESPN analyst Steve Muench wrote of Bunting: "The Bucs started seven different players at corner and ranked 26th in passing yards allowed per game last year, so help was needed. Bunting is an excellent fit for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles' man-heavy scheme. Look for him to push for a starting role early in his career."
The Bucs took Bunting, who hails from suburban Detroit's Macomb Township and prepped at Chippewa Valley High School, with the seventh pick (39th overall) in the second round. Bunting was the fourth cornerback taken in the draft.
Bunting is the third-highest selection in CMU football history behind Eric Fisher and Joe Staley, both of whom are offensive tackles who went in the first round. He is the first player from a Mid-American Conference school taken in the 2019 draft.
Fisher was the No. 1 overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, while Staley was taken by the San Francisco 49ers with the 28th pick in the 2007 draft.
Bunting, who is listed at 6 foot, 195 pounds, gave up his senior season at CMU to enter the draft. He was a First Team All-Mid-American Conference selection in 2018 when he made 37 tackles and two interceptions. He was earned the Chippewas' Defensive Player of the Year Award.
In 38 career games at CMU, Bunting made 104 tackles including 72 solos, along with nine interceptions and 24 passes defended.
"He's a very, very gifted athlete," Tampa Bay Director of Player Personnel John Spytek said. "You see all the measurables … He's fast and he's quick and he's got great natural body control. He's got great ball skills.
"When he plays the ball, you see a guy who can really play the ball. I think if you're going to take a corner that high, he needs to take the ball back."
ESPN analyst Steve Muench wrote of Bunting: "The Bucs started seven different players at corner and ranked 26th in passing yards allowed per game last year, so help was needed. Bunting is an excellent fit for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles' man-heavy scheme. Look for him to push for a starting role early in his career."
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