PRO: Signed as a rookie
free agent by the Steelers on April 28, 2007.
COLLEGE:Played
in 24 games at Eastern Illinois after transferring in from Minnesota, where he
appeared in 12 games, prior to his junior season, with all 24 of his career
starts coming with the Panthers…2007 honorable mention All-America as selected
by The Sports Network…2006 third-team
All-America selection by The Sports
Network…two-time first-team All-OVC…finished with career totals of 108
catches for 1,819 yards (16.8 avg.) and 21 touchdowns…majored in communication.
2007 (Eastern Illinois): Sports Network honorable mention
All-American…first-team All-OVC…started all 11 games he played for the
Panthers…led team in all major receiving categories with 55 receptions for 777
yards (14.1 avg.) and nine touchdowns…his 54 points were third highest on the
team…caught a season-high 11 passes versus Murray State on Oct. 13…had
two-touchdown games against Tennessee Tech on Aug. 30, Tennessee-Martin on Oct.
20 and Tennessee State on Oct. 27. 2006 (Eastern Illinois):Sports Network third-team
All-American…first-team All-OVC and All-OVC Newcomer team…led EIU in scoring
with 78 points…had a three touchdown performance against Southeast Missouri…49
receptions for 966 yards (19.7 avg.), becoming the first EIU receiver since 1986
with more than 800 yards receiving…named OVC Newcomer of the Week two times.
2005 (Minnesota): Appeared in all 12 games for the Golden Gophers, making
four receptions for 76 yards. 2004 (Minnesota): Saw limited action for a
Golden Gophers squad that went 7-5 and played in the Music City Bowl. 2003
(Minnesota): Sat out his true freshman season as a
redshirt.
PERSONAL:
Attended Estero High School in Estero, Florida…earned All-State honors in
football and basketball at Estero…basketball team won 2003 district basketball
championship…son of Geneva and Larry Rucker…father played basketball at
Winston-Salem State under legendary coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines…Full name:
Micah Rucker.
