Xavier Rucker Still Exploring Walk-on Options

Xavier Rucker, a 5-foot-7, 150-pound wide receiver/defensive back from Minneapolis (MN) Breck, may be small in stature. However, the athletic Rucker is getting plenty of attention as a potential walk-on from several prominent programs.

Xavier Rucker caught 35 passes for 529 yards and five touchdowns as the Mustangs finished a disappointing 4-5 this season. Breck was 8-3 in 2004 and was the Class AA champion in 2003.

Rucker had several big games this season, such as when he caught seven passes for 140 yards versus St. Agnes and had eight receptions for 172 yards against St. Bernard's.

However, the team's struggles on defense proved their downfall as they were outscored 76-54 in the regular season finale and 62-14 to Braham in the playoffs.

Rucker saw his numbers drop this season as he was slowed by a sports hernia.

Rucker caught 61 passes for 1,029 yards, averaging 16.9 yards per recpetion. Rucker had nine receiving touchdowns and rushed 12 times for 218 yards (18.2 yards per carry) with one rushing touchdown.

Rucker told GoldenSports.net last fall that he was hearing from Michigan State, Louisville, Purdue, Iowa State and Western Michigan. He attended camps at Louisville, Purdue and Iowa State.

However, some of those opportunities disappeared, due to the injuries and questions about his size.

Rucker said that he is considering walk-on opportunities at Nebraska, Western Kentucky and Missouri State. He had attended Nebraska's junior day. Rucker was recruited by Iowa State assistant Terry Allen and had attended the Cyclones' game versus Oklahoma State. Allen has since become the head coach at Missouri State.

Rucker said that he hopes to make his decision in the next week. His father said that, despite his son attending several Gopher games, Minnesota has not been in contact with him for some time.

Rucker said that the three schools have offered him preferred walk-on status.

"I want to prove myself, to earn a scholarship."

Rucker has a 2.8 GPA and posted a 17 ACT score. He has a 4.48 second, 40-yard dahs time.

Rucker was the teammate of highly sought Jordon McMichael, who signed with Boston College. However, Mustangs' head coach John Thiel said that many teams that came to see McMichael came away impressed with Rucker.

“Xavier could be a major impact player in college,” Coach Thiel told Scout.com. “The colleges are worried about his size but there really isn’t anything that Xavier can’t do on the football field."

“Xavier plays wide receiver and cornerback for us. He also returns punts and kicks for us. He could be a slot receiver at the next level but for his size, Xavier is a big hitter and I see him playing cornerback.”