Sommersell released by Raiders

Bryce Alderton

Andre Sommersell, showered with gifts earlier this summer in Newport

Beach as the latest Mr. Irrelevant, suffered a fate similar to many

of his predecessors bestowed with the honor.

The 255th and last pick in April’s NFL draft by the Oakland

Raiders was released by the team Tuesday, more than two months since

beginning mandatory mini-camps.

Sommersell, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound defensive end from Colorado

State who competed in basketball and track and field at Estancia High

his freshman and sophomore years before transferring to give football

another chance at Fountain Valley, switched positions to outside

linebacker in attempt to make the Raiders’ defensive unit.

He faced an uphill battle, though, with Oakland switching to a

three-four alignment under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Oakland has eight linebackers -- four on the outside -- listed on

its depth chart. The outside linebackers include DeLawrence Grant,

Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Sam Williams and Travian Smith. Grant, entering

his fourth NFL season, has started 18 of his 31 NFL appearances and,

like, Sommersell, made the transition from defensive end to

linebacker.

The Raiders are also stacked at defensive end with seven-time Pro

Bowler Warren Sapp and Bobby Hamilton, a starter for reigning Super

Bowl champion New England.

Sommersell’s release, though, might not be the end of his NFL

dreams.

Ryan Hoag, last year’s Mr. Irrelevant who was also selected by

Oakland, was released earlier this year by the New York Giants, but

signed on as a receiver with the Minnesota Vikings in July.

For a week in June, Sommersell, was toasted and roasted with

parades and dinners in Newport Beach as Mr. Irrelevant XXIX.

Newport Beach businessman and former NFL and USC receiver Paul

Salata created the award, bestowed on the last college player chosen

in the NFL draft.

Sommersell, 23, grew up in Costa Mesa and attended College Park

Elementary and TeWinkle Intermediate.

Sommersell, who earned a varsity letter in track as a sophomore at

Estancia, admitted he didn’t know much about football upon entering

Fountain Valley before his junior season, but, with the help of

then-coach George Berg, gained an added appreciation for the game. He

would give up basketball as a Baron to focus primarily on football.

He was recruited by several Pac-10 schools, but was wooed to

Colorado State by Coach Sonny Lubick. Sommersell started 13 games as

a senior, making 51 tackles -- sixth most on the team -- including

nine for loss and two sacks. He received honorable mention for

All-Mountain West Conference laurels.