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LOGAN — Devante Mays’ senior season at Utah State started well, when he rushed for 208 yards against Weber State.
But the Aggies’ lead back was injured the next week at Southern California, and his senior — like that of Utah State — was never the same, as he played in just four more games.
It didn’t matter to the Green Bay Packers.
Mays was selected by the Packers with the 238th overall pick (seventh round) Saturday during the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia.
“Last year was really frustrating with the injury; I got injured in the second game after a really big first game," Mays said during a conference call with reporters. "I had big plans of doing great things, and they started out well. But then it took a huge turn, and I was never really able to overcome the injuries."
Mays finished his career with 1,225 yards rushing, the 21st most all-time in Aggie football history. He ranks seventh in school history with 6.1 yards per carry.
The Blinn (Texas) Junior College transfer started six of the 13 games of his junior campaign, when he ranked 39th nationally with 5.9 yards per carry and drew comparisons to former Aggie great Joey DeMartino.
Mays was the second local college running back picked up by the Packers on Saturday; BYU all-time leading rusher Jamaal Williams went to Green Bay with a fourth-round selection. He also joins former Aggies Kyler Fackrell and Marwin Evans in Green Bay.
“I don’t really care if there was one or five (running backs); I’m going to always go out there, work hard, and try to be No. 1," Mays said. "I don’t care how many spots are on the depth chart for a running back.”
