He is still on the bubble, but it looks like might make it. Read here why everyone likes him:
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...R-Mumphery-truly-a-student-of-the-6468064.php
In case you cannot open the article (the link has some nice pictures, too):
Texans rookie WR Mumphery truly a student of the game
Scribbling furiously in a dog-eared notebook while critiquing game tape in high school, Keith Mumphery would jot down tendencies and scouting reports and make personal corrections.
Growing up in Vienna, Ga., the future Texans wide receiver was determined to improve. Although Mumphery was a blue-chip recruit for Michigan State, the Dooly County High School senior didn't want to rely solely on his talent. He strived to be a student of the game.
"We require students to carry notebooks to their lockers in the field house, and Keith would always bring his pen and paper to film sessions and take detailed notes," said Darryl Silas, Mumphery's high school coach. "I would go through Keith's notes and make copies for the other kids. Keith was like a coach. He understood defensive coverages: Cover 2, Cover 3, man-under.
"He acted like an NFL ballplayer in high school. He was the total package academically and athletically. His work habits were second to none. He prided himself that no one would outwork him. It was a joy for me as his head coach because of that tenacity."
TEXANS
Mumphery is applying that work ethic and passion for the game as the rookie tries to crack the Texans' 53-man roster. A fifth-round draft pick, Mumphery has three receptions for 29 yards, three punt returns for 38 yards, and one kickoff return for 14 yards in the preseason.
"I feel pretty good, but I still have to continue to make progress," Mumphery said. "I'm trying to learn things on the go. It's a process every day."
Although nothing is promised as he and third-round wide receiver Jaelen Strong compete with several others for a spot behind veterans DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts, Mumphery has made a strong impression on coach Bill O'Brien.
"Really good daily approach, consistent, hardworking player," O'Brien said. "Not easy to pick up our offense, and I think he's come in here and done that. He's returned punts pretty decently. We looked at him as a receiver that could help us on special teams, and we like what we see so far."
What Mumphery provides is versatility, durability and athleticism. At 6-foot, 215 pounds, he is as stout as most running backs. At the NFL scouting combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and had a 32½-inch vertical leap.
Against Denver, Mumphery hustled to catch a punt on the fly, sidestepped defenders, and skirted the sideline for a 12-yard return.
"I could see the whole field," Mumphery said when asked if he took a risk. "I felt like I had a great opportunity. If I could make one guy miss, I could take it to the house."
Mumphery caught 88 passes for 1,348 yards and seven touchdowns as a three-year starter at Michigan State. He caught 26 passes for 495 yards and three touchdowns last season, averaging 19 yards per reception. He also rushed for 85 yards and a score.
"I'm not shocked by anything Keith has done," Michigan State receivers coach Terrence Samuel said. "He's a very intelligent, intuitive kid. He refuses to be outworked. He was very raw when he got here, but he worked on every negative until he turned them into positives. We nicknamed him 'Mayhem' because of how he finished every route."
'Heart of a champion'
Highly recruited as a defensive back and receiver, Mumphery declined scholarship offers from Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt.
"Keith had the ability to do so many things - wide receiver, returner, defensive back," Silas said. "He was never afraid of anything. He had the heart of a champion. Football is in his blood, and it's in his mind."
Growing up in a small town, Mumphery was a decorated student and was named team captain.
"Keith was very humble, and he set the tone as a role model," Silas said. "He was the icon of what you want to epitomize as a student-athlete. He had that champion's heart and spirit, and you could trust him. I wish every kid I've coached was like Keith."
True to his high school habits, Mumphery has repeatedly quizzed veterans like Hopkins about how to read defenses, sell his routes, and block downfield.
"He's doing an amazing job, not just on the field, but in the meeting rooms," Hopkins said. "He's asking a lot of questions and working hard. I think he's going to be in this league for a while."
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http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...R-Mumphery-truly-a-student-of-the-6468064.php
In case you cannot open the article (the link has some nice pictures, too):
Texans rookie WR Mumphery truly a student of the game
Scribbling furiously in a dog-eared notebook while critiquing game tape in high school, Keith Mumphery would jot down tendencies and scouting reports and make personal corrections.
Growing up in Vienna, Ga., the future Texans wide receiver was determined to improve. Although Mumphery was a blue-chip recruit for Michigan State, the Dooly County High School senior didn't want to rely solely on his talent. He strived to be a student of the game.
"We require students to carry notebooks to their lockers in the field house, and Keith would always bring his pen and paper to film sessions and take detailed notes," said Darryl Silas, Mumphery's high school coach. "I would go through Keith's notes and make copies for the other kids. Keith was like a coach. He understood defensive coverages: Cover 2, Cover 3, man-under.
"He acted like an NFL ballplayer in high school. He was the total package academically and athletically. His work habits were second to none. He prided himself that no one would outwork him. It was a joy for me as his head coach because of that tenacity."
TEXANS
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Mumphery is applying that work ethic and passion for the game as the rookie tries to crack the Texans' 53-man roster. A fifth-round draft pick, Mumphery has three receptions for 29 yards, three punt returns for 38 yards, and one kickoff return for 14 yards in the preseason.
"I feel pretty good, but I still have to continue to make progress," Mumphery said. "I'm trying to learn things on the go. It's a process every day."
Although nothing is promised as he and third-round wide receiver Jaelen Strong compete with several others for a spot behind veterans DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts, Mumphery has made a strong impression on coach Bill O'Brien.
"Really good daily approach, consistent, hardworking player," O'Brien said. "Not easy to pick up our offense, and I think he's come in here and done that. He's returned punts pretty decently. We looked at him as a receiver that could help us on special teams, and we like what we see so far."
What Mumphery provides is versatility, durability and athleticism. At 6-foot, 215 pounds, he is as stout as most running backs. At the NFL scouting combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and had a 32½-inch vertical leap.
Against Denver, Mumphery hustled to catch a punt on the fly, sidestepped defenders, and skirted the sideline for a 12-yard return.
"I could see the whole field," Mumphery said when asked if he took a risk. "I felt like I had a great opportunity. If I could make one guy miss, I could take it to the house."
Mumphery caught 88 passes for 1,348 yards and seven touchdowns as a three-year starter at Michigan State. He caught 26 passes for 495 yards and three touchdowns last season, averaging 19 yards per reception. He also rushed for 85 yards and a score.
"I'm not shocked by anything Keith has done," Michigan State receivers coach Terrence Samuel said. "He's a very intelligent, intuitive kid. He refuses to be outworked. He was very raw when he got here, but he worked on every negative until he turned them into positives. We nicknamed him 'Mayhem' because of how he finished every route."
'Heart of a champion'
Highly recruited as a defensive back and receiver, Mumphery declined scholarship offers from Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt.
"Keith had the ability to do so many things - wide receiver, returner, defensive back," Silas said. "He was never afraid of anything. He had the heart of a champion. Football is in his blood, and it's in his mind."
Growing up in a small town, Mumphery was a decorated student and was named team captain.
"Keith was very humble, and he set the tone as a role model," Silas said. "He was the icon of what you want to epitomize as a student-athlete. He had that champion's heart and spirit, and you could trust him. I wish every kid I've coached was like Keith."
True to his high school habits, Mumphery has repeatedly quizzed veterans like Hopkins about how to read defenses, sell his routes, and block downfield.
"He's doing an amazing job, not just on the field, but in the meeting rooms," Hopkins said. "He's asking a lot of questions and working hard. I think he's going to be in this league for a while."
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