After four years of relative obscurity hidden from the eyes of the football world, former Cal Poly receiver Ramses Barden is headed for the bright lights of the big city.
The 6-foot-6 Barden was taken in the third round of the National Football League draft Sunday by the New York Giants who are seeking to replace another big wide out in Plaxico Burress.
The Giants released Burress last season after a messy incident in which he shot himself in the leg and now faces criminal charges.
Barden, who fielded questions on a conference call with New York media members, said he couldn’t be more different than the troubled former Giants receiver who he is expected to replace.
“I’ve never been in trouble,” Barden said on the call. “I’ve never been suspended. I’ve never been arrested. I’m fairly clean-cut off the field. I have moderate fun with my friends and that’s it.”
Many draft pundits saw the Giants showing an interest in Barden, and New York certainly helped to prove that accurate, trading up with Philadelphia to the 85th pick in order to draft the former Cal Poly star.
The Giants also drafted a receiver in the first round when they took Hakeem Nicks with the 29th pick. Nicks, a standout at North Carolina was the fourth receiver taken in the first round.
Barden was the 12th receiver taken overall and the first of four taken from the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA).
Following Barden were Quinten Lawrence (McNeese State, pick 175) and Dominique Edison (Stephen F. Austin, pick 206).
Johnny Knox of Abilene Christian, the 140th pick, was the only Division II receiver taken in the draft.
Despite the addition of Nicks and Barden, the Giants are still widely expected to look for an experienced receiver via free agency or a trade. With the addition of its two draft choices, New York is expected to take at least 10 receivers into training camp.
Barden said he is looking forward to carving out a niche with the Giants, a team which just one year ago was world champion.
“I’m a complete receiver,” Barden said. “I can’t wait to compete and try to earn a job. My size will give me an advantage off the ball.”
Barden caught 67 passes for 1,257 yards and 18 touchdowns in his final season at Cal Poly, helping lead the Mustangs to a No. 3 ranking in the FCS polls and a berth in the playoffs.
He had 50 touchdowns and accumulated 4,203 yards in his collegiate career and holds numerous NCAA records including consecutive games with a touchdown reception in a season and most career games with a touchdown reception.
Barden became the second-highest Cal Poly player to be drafted behind defensive end Chris Gocong who was taken with the 71st overall pick by Philadelphia in 2006. He is the first offensive player taken from Cal Poly since quarterback Seth Burford was drafted in the seventh round by the San Diego Chargers in 2002.