Successful as a Wildcat. Successful as a Spartan.
It doesn’t matter what uniform you put him in or what team he plays for, Dave Rayner is a natural star on the football field.
The 2001 Oxford High School graduate was one of four MSU football players to make All-Big Ten Conference this season. He was voted second-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media. He’s also been invited to play in Hawaii’s Hula Bowl in January, along with the college football stars.
Rayner, 22, leads the Big Ten in scoring with 97 points, converting 21-of-30 field goal attempts and all 34 extra point tries in 2004. His 21 field goals lead the NCAA (tied with Eastern Michigan’s Andrew Wellock). He has kicked extremely well down the stretch, hitting 13 of his last 15 field goal attempts over the last five games.
Rayner was selected one of the Lou Groza Award’s Top Three Stars for Week 11 after scoring 13 points in the game against Ohio State, during which he scored four field goals and one extra point.
Twice in 2004 the Oxford native earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his performance in games against Minnesota and Indiana. Rayner scored 15 points against Minnesota, matching his career high, and 12 points against Indiana.
As a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2003 and 2004, Rayner ranks as MSU’s all-time leader in scoring with 326 career points, 61 successful field goals and 143 converted extra points. He’s converted 71 straight extra point attempts.
After MSU suffered its 41-38 season-ending loss to Hawaii Dec. 4, Rayner’s reign as the Spartan’s star kicker came to an end. But his football future is very much alive and well as he’s one of the top five kickers in the nation.
With his college football playing days coming to a close, Larry Rayner, Dave’s father, said his son now has some major league decisions to make.
First on the list is to pick an agent because, according to Rayner’s dad, MSU’s athletic department has been flooded with inquiries about the possibility of Rayner playing in the National Football League.
‘It seems like his name popped up on (the NFL’s) radar,? said Larry Rayner. The MSU athletic department has received more than 20 inquiries from sports agents clamoring to represent Rayner.
‘You just never imagine all these people want your kid,? Larry said laughing. ‘But he’s worked really hard to get here and is pretty level-headed about it.?
‘He plans to take time off after Hawaii, but it’s getting toward crunch time to decide on an agent to represent him,? said Rayner’s dad. ‘He’s got a lot of decisions to make in the next few weeks. If you don’t pick an agent one will pick you.?
‘He’s just hoping to get drafted, but regardless of where he ends up it’s going to be a great career for Dave,? Larry noted.
Rayner began his football career as kicker for the Oxford Wildcats in 1997. He finished his high school career with All Flint Metro League honors and owning all but one OHS punting/placekicking record. Rayner was named to the Detroit Free Press Dream Team and Number 27 on The Detroit News Blue Chip list.
‘He was phenomenal, very coachable and a fine young man,? said Wildcat Football Coach Bud Rowley. ‘That award (All-Big Ten) says it all about Dave.?
‘We’re excited he played Oxford football and he’s got a great future,? added Rowley.