Keith Mumphery

NFL Workout Updates: 9/18/19

Here is Wednesday’s latest from the workout circuit:

Cleveland Browns

Miami Dolphins

Oakland Raiders

San Francisco 49ers

Extra Points: Lawrence, Mumphery, Packers

If it’s too early to think about the 2020 NFL Draft, then it’s definitely too early to think about the 2021 draft. Still, that’s not stopping those in the football world from daydreaming about Trevor Lawrence and his potential.

There’s nothing he can’t do,” said former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer when asked about the Clemson quarterback (via The MMQB). “The only question is if he’ll continue to do it. It’s hard to temper your excitement, because he checks every single box. Confidence, intelligence, athleticism, smarts, twitch, arm strength, power—you go through all the boxes, he’s nines or 10s. It’s like Andrew Luck.”

Lawrence, who has been termed “perfect” by mechanics coach Jordan Palmer, likely would’ve been the first pick in either this year’s draft or the 2020 draft, if he were eligible. If he declares after his true junior season at Clemson, he’s expected to be the slam dunk No. 1 pick in 2021.

Here’s more from around the league:

  • Wide receiver Keith Mumphery received $725K from Michigan State in a lawsuit settlement, as Paula Lavigne of ESPN.com writes. Mumphery was cut by the Texans in 2017 after reports surfaced that he had been banned from campus following a sexual assault accusation. Mumphery always insisted he was falsely accused, and sued Michigan State for his lost wages. The settlement will help him recoup some of those potential earnings and may help his cause as he tries to mount an NFL comeback.
  • After a disappointing season and significant spending spree, the Packers‘ profits have dropped dramatically (via The Associated Press). The good news, however, is that the Packers still turned a profit after re-signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers and signing linebacker Za’Darius Smith, linebacker Preston Smith, safety Adrian Amos, and guard Billy Smith. Ultimately, it’s an indication that the Packers are in good fiscal standing despite being a small market team.

Keith Mumphery Attempting Comeback

Two years ago, the Texans released wide receiver Keith Mumphery upon learning that he was expelled from Michigan State for an alleged sexual misconduct violation. Now, after settling a federal lawsuit with the school, Mumphrey is looking for another NFL opportunity. 

It’s all love for the Texans,” the 26-year-old told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “I understand why they released me, it was bad PR for them at that time. They gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. I understand the NFL is a business. I appreciate the opportunity they gave me. It’s something I always dreamed of as a little kid. I thank them for the opportunity. They saw something in me. I was the first person from my hometown to go to the NFL. Now, it’s about getting a second chance.”

Mumphery and his accuser had conflicting stories after their encounter in 2015. The woman claimed she was sexually assaulted by the wide receiver in her dorm room while she was drunk. Mumphery, meanwhile, maintains that the woman seduced him and that he stopped the encounter when she refused to have him use protection.

After the police investigation ended, the Michigan State Title IX office went on to clear Mumphery, but the woman appealed and Mumphery was not notified of the case being reopened. During the appeal, Mumphery was found responsible for violating the school’s policy on relationship violence and sexual misconduct. Mumphery fought back against the school with a lawsuit and recently received an undisclosed financial settlement.

Mumphery, a fifth-round pick in 2015, caught 24 passes for 198 yards in two seasons for the Texans prior to his release. He also contributed in the return game with averages of 7.8 yards per punt return and 24.1 yards per kickoff return as a rookie.

Texans Release Bullough, Mumphery

Texans receiver Keith Mumphery and inside linebacker Max Bullough have been released, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 (on Twitter). Different off-the-field issues have led to both players being jettisoned from Houston. Max Bullough (vertical)

Bullough was suspended four games for a PED violation back in May. In a statement, Bullough indicated that a tainted supplement was to blame for the positive test, but that excuse apparently did not fly with Texans brass. The Michigan State product appeared in every game for Houston last season and even made three starts. He had just 19 tackles in total, however, and only saw the field for 240 defensive snaps.

The Texans used a fifth round pick on Mumphery in 2015 but only recently learned that he was expelled from Michigan State for a sexual misconduct violation. The local prosecutor declined to press charges when the accuser could not be reached, but the university booted him from the program for violating the policy on “relationship violence and sexual misconduct.” More than two years after the alleged incident, Mumphery now finds himself out of work in the NFL.

Sexual Misconduct Ruling Against Texans WR Keith Mumphery Surfaces

The Houston Texans have deployed Keith Mumphery as a return man since he joined the team as a fifth-round pick in 2015, but his career could be on shakier ground after revelations from the wideout’s past surfaced Wednesday.

Mumphery was expelled from his graduate studies program at Michigan State in 2016 for sexual misconduct. The alleged incident occurred in March of 2015, according to Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press. The university banned Mumphery from campus. This information surfacing today, the Texans are still “gathering information,” Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

A woman accused Mumphery of sexual assault on St. Patrick’s Day 2015, a day before the Spartans’ pro day when he worked out for teams. Mumphery’s Michigan State career concluded after the 2014 season. The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office declined to press charges in August of 2015 after the case couldn’t be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” and the accuser could not be reached, Solari reports.

The case proceeded through Michigan State’s Title IX process and punishment phase, Solari reports, leading to the 2016 ruling. The university emailed Mumphery a letter last June indicating he violated its policy on “relationship violence and sexual misconduct,” according to a police report obtained by the Free Press. Mumphery is barred from re-enrolling at Michigan State and banned from campus until December 31, 2018. Mumphery graduated in 2014 but was planning to take graduate courses in 2016, a police report indicated.

The university’s punishment following a lack of a legal case clouds this situation somewhat. The Texans have used Mumphery as a return specialist and backup receiver. He was the team’s primary punt returner in 2015 while also being one of Houston’s kick returners as a rookie. The 24-year-old Mumphery did not return any kicks last season but was still used as a reserve pass-catcher. As a receiver, the 6-foot, 215-pound performer has 24 career receptions for 198 yards.

Texans Sign Entire Draft Class

The Texans have locked up their entire 2015 draft class in one fell swoop, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, who reports (via Twitter) that the club has signed all seven of its draftees. That includes first-round cornerback Kevin Johnson and second-round linebacker Benardrick McKinney.

According to Over The Cap’s draft pool figures, Johnson will be in line for a four-year contract worth more than $10MM, including a signing bonus of about $5.569MM. His deal will include a fifth-year option for 2019 as well. As for McKinney, he’ll earn $5.345MM over his four-year rookie deal, including a $2.147MM signing bonus.

Other Texans players who are now under contract with the team include third-round receiver Jaelen Strong, fifth-round wideout Keith Mumphery, sixth-round outside linebacker Reshard Cliett, sixth-round defensive tackle Christian Covington, and seventh-round running back Kenny Hilliard.

As our draft pick signings tracker shows, Houston is the third team to finish signing its 2015 draft class. The Dolphins and Vikings have also reached agreements with all their draftees.

AFC Notes: Browns, Cooper, Agholor, Titans

While he likely won’t be around by the time the No. 12 overall pick rolls around, Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper paid a pre-draft visit to the Browns, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The Browns, of course, hold the 12th and 19th overall picks, so they have plenty of options at their disposal, including trading up or down, and they could certainly use some receiving help.

Here are a few more draft-related items from across the AFC:

  • USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor, who previously worked out for the Eagles twice, has also visited the Bills and has a workout lined up with the Patriots, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). With his draft stock reportedly on the rise, Agholor’s previously-reported workout with the Panthers happened today.
  • Michigan State running back Jeremy Langford, a potential mid-round selection, recently visited the Broncos, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post. As Klis observes, Denver may be looking to develop a change-of-pace alternative, with Ronnie Hillman entering the final year of his contract. Klis notes in a second story that the Broncos also recently met with wide receivers Tre McBride (William & Mary) and Keith Mumphery (Michigan State).
  • The Steelers hosted a pair of prospects today, conducting their previously-reported visit with Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory and also taking a look at former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, tweets Scott Brown of ESPN.com. Gardner figures to play wide receiver at the NFL level.
  • After visiting the Steelers today, Gregory is on to Tennessee to meet with the Titans, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport tweets that the Titans are also hosting Louisville wideout DeVante Parker. Neither Gregory nor Parker seems like a viable candidate to go second overall, though they’ll probably be long gone by the second round, so it looks like Tennessee is preparing for a number of different scenarios.