By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Platte City native and now Missouri Western alum Kobe Cummings has had aspirations of playing professional football ever since he can remember.
He's closer than ever to making that dream a reality. Cummings, who just wrapped up a five-year career at Missouri Western this past fall, formally declared for the NFL draft on February 2.
"A lot of working out and nutrition stuff," Cummings told KFEQ Radio about his routine over the last couple of months.
"Staying up on my supplements and making sure I'm doing the right recovery. Lots of focusing on little things. Just making sure my body is in the best position for when I do get that opportunity."
Cummings finished fifth in MWSU history with 282 total tackles and third in program history with 252 interception return yards. His nine career INTs tie for seventh most in the career record books as well.
A 6-foot, 205-pound safety, Cummings recently took part in Mizzou's Pro Day in Columbia on March 24 along with MWSU teammates D.J. Stirgus, Isaac Wallace and A.J. Crayton.
"You don't get invited (to Pro Day) for just being on a team," Cummings said. "You have to produce and be one of those guys. Seeing the competition level there, it was awesome to go out there and compete with those guys. Talking to them, getting information and pointers here and there."
Cummings' performance at the Pro Day garnered at least some initial interest from the San Francisco 49ers. It also gained him an invite to the Kansas City Chiefs' local pro day on April 6.
"The culture (the Chiefs) have built there since Andy Reid came in, and all of the guys they've brought in from draft picks and signing free agents, they've built a powerful culture," Cummings said of the defending Super Bowl champions.
"It runs deep. It was great go in there and just experience what those guys go through on a day-to-day basis."
Cummings' 2021 season really put him on the pro radar. He snagged six interceptions for a Division II-best 230 return yards that year, including an 80-yard pick six against Fort Hays State in week two.
His three INTs against Northeastern State that same season tied a single-game program record.
Cummings did not receive an NFL Combine invite, and he knows the odds for DII players getting drafted are lesser than those who are in DI.
Cummings, though, isn't bothered by these obstacles.
"I've always worked and played with a chip on my shoulder," he said. "Just knowing I have the ability to compete with those guys. I just need the opportunity and once I get the opportunity, I think I've proven throughout high school and college that I'll rise to the occasion, no matter what situation I'm put in."
History shows there is a viable path for Division II football players in the NFL. Last year alone, 13 DII players made NFL rosters, and roughly 50 players from DII schools played in the league last season.
Five DII players were selected in last year's draft, including Northwest Missouri State defensive lineman Sam Roberts, who had his name called in the sixth round by the New England Patriots.
Missouri Western alum and Excelsior Springs native Sam Webb signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent just last year. Webb, a cornerback, is one of three former Griffons who are active in the NFL, along with safety Jonathan Owens (Houston) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (New York Jets).
Cummings was teammates with Webb for four years at Missouri Western. Webb made the Raiders' active roster last August and made a splash in his rookie season, totaling 36 tackles, three pass deflections and a forced fumble.
It's Webb, Cummings says, who has been the biggest help in this process. The two have even been training together at Full Throttle Fitness in Kansas City.
"Being able to pick things from (Webb's) mind, he'd come out and do field work with me," Cummings said. "Just little things scouts and coaches are going to look at. The things that'll make the difference between a pass breakup and an interception. Angles and stuff that's running through your mind before the play even happens."
Nine former Missouri Western players have gone on to play in the NFL. The Griffons have had four draft picks in history - David Bass (2013, DE), Greg Zuerlein (2012, K), John Fisher (1996, DB) and Vince Thompson (1985, DE).
Blue Springs South grad and former MWSU corner Brandin Dandridge had a brief stint with the Chiefs last year, and is currently in his fifth season with the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League.
Only time will tell where Kobe Cummings is headed next in his football career, but one thing is certain - the former Griffon and Platte County Pirate has been readying himself by the day. Not just this spring, but for many years before this.
"As long as you're getting better every day, you'll end up being the player you want to be," Cummings said. "It's all about putting in that work and having a good attitude. Those are the two things, effort and attitude, that'll be able to take you a very long ways."
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