Come To Think of It: Introducing Ryan Succop, "Mr. Irrelevant"

After 15 hours and 15 minutes, the 2009 NFL Draft had ended. As the 256th and final selection in the draft, South Carolina kicker Ryan Succop earned the dubious distinction of Mr. Irrelevant.

Mr. Irrelevant was created in 1976 by former USC and NFL wide receiver Paul Salata as a way to honor the last player chosen. It's become so much a part of the draft that Salata is actually at the draft to announce the final pick.

Hey, to be picked in the draft is a great accomplishment, no matter when it happens. So when the Kansas City Chiefs selected Succop in the seventh round, there was joy all around the young man.

Now Jay Leno may tease him, and some fans may make fun of the title of Mr. Irrelevant, but try telling that to the myriad of players who didn't get drafted at all.

Take Michael Bennett, a defensive end out of Texas A&M, for instance. Here's what ESPN.com has to say about him:

"Bennett is our highest-ranked free agent still available at this point. His ability to hold up against the run makes him a solid value as a five-technique in 3-4 defensive front."

Yet, he was not drafted at all. So you can see how special it is to be drafted, even if it's the final pick.

Succop has a chance to stick, too. He has good size at 6'3" and 221 pounds.

As a freshman at South Carolina, Soccop handled kickoffs and only attempted two field goals.

He missed both of them.

But he became the starting placekicker in 2006 and earned second team All-SEC honors. That year he made 16-of-20 field goal attempts.

As a junior, Succop also handled South Carolina's punting duties. He made 13-of-17 field goals, while averaging 41.6 yards per punt.

Succop attempted a career-high 30 field goals as a senior, making 20 of them. He finished his career with 49 field goals and 104 extra points made in four seasons for the Gamecocks.

For those of you who consider Mr. Irrelevant to be nothing special, consider this: Mr. Irrelevant and his family are invited to spend a week in Newport Beach, Calif., where he receives the "Lowsman Trophy"—Mr. Irrelevant's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.

Sponsors and underwriters help cover expenses and there's also a charge for guests attending the Lowsman Trophy banquet. Irrelevant week profits are donated to charity.

I don't know about you, but I'll be interested in following this young man's career. If nothing else, just to see if he can turn Mr. Irrelevant into something more relevant, come to think of it.