Mike Echols (American football)
Encyclopedia
Michael Kitome Echols is a former American football
cornerback
who played in both the National Football League
(NFL) and the Canadian Football League
(CFL). He was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft
by the Tennessee Titans
. He played collegiately
for the University of Wisconsin–Madison
.
At Wisconsin, he was a four–year starter at cornerback. He finished his career with a recovered fumble and 12 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Before his junior season in 2000, he was suspended one game for receiving unadvertised discounts at a shoe store. After the season, he was given second–team All–Big Ten Conference
honors. In 2002, after graduating from Wisconsin, he declared for the NFL Draft. He was drafted by the Titans and debuted later that season. However, after four weeks, he injured his leg and missed the rest of the season. The following season, he saw limited action before being released by the team in 2004. After his stint with the Titans ended, he spent time with the Atlanta Falcons
, Indianapolis Colts
, and Detroit Lions
, failing to appear in a game for any of the teams. In 2006, Echols played his final professional game for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
of the CFL, intercepting a pass in his only game for the team.
, was born in Youngstown, Ohio
on October 13, 1978. He attended Ursuline High School
in Youngstown, where he was named third–team All–State. In his senior season, he recorded ten interceptions. He also played wide receiver
for the football team, recording 25 receptions for 558 yards in his career. A member of the basketball
team, he was a freshman when the team won the state title.
As a freshman at Wisconsin
in 1997, Echols was redshirted
, but in 1998
, he entered week one of the season as a starting cornerback opposite fellow redshirt freshman Jamar Fletcher
. Against Purdue
on October 11, he intercepted quarterback
Drew Brees
in the end zone, ending their first drive of the game. Wisconsin won 31–24. He finished the season with three interceptions. In 1999
, he started the season off poorly, being beat for touchdowns often; however, as the season progressed, his performances improved. During the season, he intercepted just one pass. Before his junior season in 2000
, Echols and 25 of his teammates were suspended for the start of the season by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) for receiving unadvertised discounts at a shoe store. He served his one-game suspension during week two of the season, in which Wisconsin won 27–23 against Oregon
. On November 4, against Minnesota
, he intercepted a pass and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown. He finished the season with five total interceptions, as well as a fumble recovery. Echols also set a school record with 25 pass deflections. He was named second–team All–Big Ten Conference for his performances that season. Entering 2001
, Echols became the only returning member of Wisconsin's secondary after the other players either graduated or declared for the 2001 NFL Draft
. In an interview about the team, secondary coach Todd Bradford said that Echols, "is probably as good a tackling defensive back as there is in the country." On September 27, after Wisconsin lost to Oregon early in the month, Oregon's quarterback Joey Harrington
, in a diary for ESPN.com
, stated that Echols, "is one of the best corners I have ever played against. He was very impressive." He finished his senior season at Wisconsin with three interceptions. He graduated in 2002 with a degree in behavioral science and law.
, Echols was considered to be the 14th-best cornerback in the draft class and was projected to go in either the fourth or fifth round by NFLDraftScout.com. Leading up to the draft, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports
wrote that Echols, "isn't that big, but he can sure run." He also listed him as being a player that teams were underrating heading into the draft.
On the second day of the draft, Echols was selected with the 12th pick of the fourth round by the Tennessee Titans
. On July 15, he signed a rookie contract with the Titans. However, on July 26, he was placed on the active/physically unable to perform
list by the Titans. He made his debut with the Titans in week one against the Philadelphia Eagles
. He recorded three tackles in the game. In week three, against the Cleveland Browns
, Echols allowed the game–winning eight–yard touchdown to Browns wide receiver
Dennis Northcutt
. In the Titans' week four game against the Oakland Raiders
, he suffered a leg injury and did not play another game for the rest of the season. He underwent surgery on his left tibia
in December. He finished the season with 24 tackles in four games. The following season, he played sparingly, appearing in just five games and recording just eight tackles. His season debut came in week six against the Houston Texans
, in which he recorded no tackles. Against both the Jacksonville Jaguars
and Miami Dolphins
, he recorded three tackles. In the 2004 preseason, after starting cornerback Samari Rolle
injured his ankle, Echols started at right cornerback for the Titans. Despite this, he was considered a candidate to be traded at the end of training camp, only to be released on September 14.
. However, in early October, he was signed off the Colts' practice squad by the Atlanta Falcons
, but was waived on October 26 without making an appearance for Atlanta. The Colts re-signed him to their practice squad three days later. He was later promoted from the practice squad, only to be waived. On December 16, was signed to the Minnesota Vikings
' practice squad. The Detroit Lions
then signed him off the Vikings' practice squad on December 22. After becoming a restricted free agent
at season's end, he re-signed with the Lions on April 14, 2005. He made the 53-man roster out of training camp, but was waived on October 13.
After his release by the Titans, he never appeared in another NFL game, despite being on the active roster for nine games in 2004. He finished his NFL career with 32 tackles in nine games, all of which came with Tennessee. On July 4, 2006, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
of the Canadian Football League
. In his debut with Hamilton on July 21, he intercepted a pass from Montreal Alouettes
quarterback
Anthony Calvillo
and returned it 94 yards for a touchdown. However, a week later, he was released by the team.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
who played in both the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) and the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL). He was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
by the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. He played collegiately
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
.
At Wisconsin, he was a four–year starter at cornerback. He finished his career with a recovered fumble and 12 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Before his junior season in 2000, he was suspended one game for receiving unadvertised discounts at a shoe store. After the season, he was given second–team All–Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
honors. In 2002, after graduating from Wisconsin, he declared for the NFL Draft. He was drafted by the Titans and debuted later that season. However, after four weeks, he injured his leg and missed the rest of the season. The following season, he saw limited action before being released by the team in 2004. After his stint with the Titans ended, he spent time with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, and Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, failing to appear in a game for any of the teams. In 2006, Echols played his final professional game for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
of the CFL, intercepting a pass in his only game for the team.
Early years
Echols, who has type 1 diabetes and requires the use of insulinInsulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
, was born in Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
on October 13, 1978. He attended Ursuline High School
Ursuline High School
The Ursuline High School, Wimbledon is a Roman Catholic secondary school, for girls aged 11 to 19, based in Crescent Road and The Downs, Wimbledon, London. The school has a joint sixth form with the all-boys brother school of Wimbledon College that is situated on Edge Hill...
in Youngstown, where he was named third–team All–State. In his senior season, he recorded ten interceptions. He also played wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the football team, recording 25 receptions for 558 yards in his career. A member of the basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team, he was a freshman when the team won the state title.
As a freshman at Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
in 1997, Echols was redshirted
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
, but in 1998
1998 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 1998 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Season:Wisconsin finished the regular season 10-1 overall and were co-champions of the Big Ten Conference for the first time since 1993...
, he entered week one of the season as a starting cornerback opposite fellow redshirt freshman Jamar Fletcher
Jamar Fletcher
Jamar Mondell Fletcher is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent and lives in south Florida. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins 26th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin...
. Against Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
on October 11, he intercepted quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
in the end zone, ending their first drive of the game. Wisconsin won 31–24. He finished the season with three interceptions. In 1999
1999 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 1999 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Season:Wisconsin finished the regular season 9-2 overall and were sole champions of the Big Ten Conference for the first time since 1962...
, he started the season off poorly, being beat for touchdowns often; however, as the season progressed, his performances improved. During the season, he intercepted just one pass. Before his junior season in 2000
2000 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 2000 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Regular starters:-Team players in the 2001 NFL Draft:-Awards and records:...
, Echols and 25 of his teammates were suspended for the start of the season by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) for receiving unadvertised discounts at a shoe store. He served his one-game suspension during week two of the season, in which Wisconsin won 27–23 against Oregon
Oregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
. On November 4, against Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
, he intercepted a pass and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown. He finished the season with five total interceptions, as well as a fumble recovery. Echols also set a school record with 25 pass deflections. He was named second–team All–Big Ten Conference for his performances that season. Entering 2001
2001 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 2001 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Season summary:...
, Echols became the only returning member of Wisconsin's secondary after the other players either graduated or declared for the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. In an interview about the team, secondary coach Todd Bradford said that Echols, "is probably as good a tackling defensive back as there is in the country." On September 27, after Wisconsin lost to Oregon early in the month, Oregon's quarterback Joey Harrington
Joey Harrington
John Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986...
, in a diary for ESPN.com
ESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
, stated that Echols, "is one of the best corners I have ever played against. He was very impressive." He finished his senior season at Wisconsin with three interceptions. He graduated in 2002 with a degree in behavioral science and law.
Tennessee Titans
Prior to the 2002 NFL Draft2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
, Echols was considered to be the 14th-best cornerback in the draft class and was projected to go in either the fourth or fifth round by NFLDraftScout.com. Leading up to the draft, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
wrote that Echols, "isn't that big, but he can sure run." He also listed him as being a player that teams were underrating heading into the draft.
On the second day of the draft, Echols was selected with the 12th pick of the fourth round by the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. On July 15, he signed a rookie contract with the Titans. However, on July 26, he was placed on the active/physically unable to perform
Physically Unable to Perform
Players can be labeled Physically Unable to Perform in the National Football League if they suffer from football-related injuries during the preseason...
list by the Titans. He made his debut with the Titans in week one against the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He recorded three tackles in the game. In week three, against the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Echols allowed the game–winning eight–yard touchdown to Browns wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Dennis Northcutt
Dennis Northcutt
Dennis LaMont Northcutt is an American football wide receiver and punt returner who last played for the Detroit Lions...
. In the Titans' week four game against the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he suffered a leg injury and did not play another game for the rest of the season. He underwent surgery on his left tibia
Tibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
in December. He finished the season with 24 tackles in four games. The following season, he played sparingly, appearing in just five games and recording just eight tackles. His season debut came in week six against the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, in which he recorded no tackles. Against both the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he recorded three tackles. In the 2004 preseason, after starting cornerback Samari Rolle
Samari Rolle
Samari Toure Rolle is a retired American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Tennessee Oilers in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
injured his ankle, Echols started at right cornerback for the Titans. Despite this, he was considered a candidate to be traded at the end of training camp, only to be released on September 14.
Later career
On September 20, 2004, Echols was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. However, in early October, he was signed off the Colts' practice squad by the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but was waived on October 26 without making an appearance for Atlanta. The Colts re-signed him to their practice squad three days later. He was later promoted from the practice squad, only to be waived. On December 16, was signed to the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
' practice squad. The Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
then signed him off the Vikings' practice squad on December 22. After becoming a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
at season's end, he re-signed with the Lions on April 14, 2005. He made the 53-man roster out of training camp, but was waived on October 13.
After his release by the Titans, he never appeared in another NFL game, despite being on the active roster for nine games in 2004. He finished his NFL career with 32 tackles in nine games, all of which came with Tennessee. On July 4, 2006, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. In his debut with Hamilton on July 21, he intercepted a pass from Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo is a Canadian Football League quarterback, currently playing for the Montreal Alouettes. He is the all-time professional football passing yards leader and first in all-time CFL passing yards...
and returned it 94 yards for a touchdown. However, a week later, he was released by the team.