By: Kevin Cottrell Jr. Every year the NFL Draft stage is set to showcase the "Gems" of College Football. Some turn out to be "Cubic Zirconia's", and others prove to be "Diamonds". The c.z.'s are appealing to the naked eye but do not last long in the league. Whereas those diamonds are true studs that standout to NFL scouts and General Managers alike. Then there is the Diamond in the rough, these guys are labeled as good talent, a bit under sized, and often known as special teamers. This year's draft was stacked with Line Backer talent. Many would agree that the true Diamond would be Ohio State's bruising Line Backer A.J. Hawk. In Hawk's last game as a Buckeye, the opposing middle linebacker for the fighting Irish may turn out to be this year's "diamond in the rough". You may recognize him by his number 46 crushing opposing running backs, or his lengthy dreadlocks that grace the back of his jersey. For those of you who don't know, his name is Corey Mays. In Corey's senior year of high school at Morgan Park (Chicago), he led the team with 144 tackles and 5 sacks. His tenacity as a linebacker and his smarts (4.2 G.P.A.) made him the "gem" of the 2001 recruiting class. "Corey was very intense on the football field. He played sideline to sideline and hit guys like a Mac Truck", says his former asst. Coach Keith Brookshire at Morgan Park. "He was a very smart kid that led by example." His success in high school was so eye-popping that he became the first player from the Chicago Public League to play at Notre Dame since All-American Chris Zorich (88-90). As one could imagine with those stats Mays would be an instant impact player building a legacy in South Bend. Well think again. Mays sat for four consecutive years, primarily playing on special teams. Many in his position would have opted to transfer schools or may simply lose all motivation to succeed at the sport that they love, but Corey viewed it differently. "I was recruited by Coach Davie, then we started out 0-3 and then came 9/11 attacks it was Crazy," says Mays. "Then came coach O'Leary who lasted all of five days, my sophomore year is when Coach Willingham took over so I didn't know if I should transfer or stay but I figured I would stay and wait things out." Its been said that diamonds are indestructible and Corey seemed to be just as durable, because four years, and four head coaches later he managed to shine in the eyes of his latest head coach Charlie Weis. "I saw a big, physical guy who was in very good shape, in better shape than a lot of people and really didn't say too much, just went out there and worked his butt off all the time," says Weis. "And then we got on the field and I found out he was a more vocal leader than I thought he would be...By the end of spring ball, I was very confident that we had found ourselves a middle linebacker that could man the middle of our defense." All Corey did was attack his opponents' head on finishing the season with 68 tackles. To many that may be an average season but in his previous three years Corey totaled 45 tackles. Along with the 68 tackles, 7 were sacks, and he managed to force 4 fumbles. His tenacity did not stop there. As he entered his final game with the Fighting Irish he faced off against the All-American middle linebacker A.J. Hawk. Technically they didn't face off since they play the same position however many people in Corey's position may have felt as if it was their duty to out shine the highly touted Buckeye linebacker. But Mays is his own person. "I came to the Fiesta bowl to play my last football game, I would never try to out play him I just came to do me." Corey may not have planned to out shine A.J. but he did prove that he could compete at the same level. When the game ended Corey and A.J. both led their perspective teams with 12 tackles. Mays added a sack and a forced fumbled while Hawk sacked the QB twice. Although Corey may have proved himself on a national stage in the Fiesta bowl, he still needed to open the eyes of NFL personnel. His last chance came via the Hula Bowl. Once again Corey was given an opportunity and he seized it finishing the Hula Bowl with a game high six tackles. "I enjoyed the opportunity of meeting other players and being given the opportunity of showcasing my talent up against colleges best talent," says Mays. "I must admit I did think to myself I would love to be back in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl while playing in the NFL." Many people may feel that it is imperative to be selected in the first two rounds of the draft to secure a spot with an organization. However, when one has endured as much as Corey has the past five years, they would just be happy to hear their name called. Often times teams past on players based on lack of experience, size, weight, and or height. Corey was no exception having to sign on as a free-agent with the New England Patriots. But as years past General Managers may find themselves mind boggled as to how they past up such a "gem." For instance, the 1996 NFL Draft showcased diamonds such as 2000 Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis (#26 Pick of Baltimore Ravens), and who many may consider a diamond in the rough, Tedy Bruschi was drafted #86 by the New England Patriots. Three Super Bowl rings and a medical stroke later, he is still with the Patriots preparing for his 11th. Season...I guess Diamonds are forever.