Micah Rucker’s NFL journey has been a bumpy one.

The former Eastern wide receiver didn’t get drafted in the 2008 NFL Draft but was signed to a free agent deal by the Pittsburgh Steelers immediately following the draft.

Rucker stuck with the Steelers through all of the preseason rookie-only camps, the official training camp and then all four preseason games. Then came the final cut day for NFL rosters.

Rucker was released by Pittsburgh but re-signed almost immediately to the Steelers’ practice squad.

Until the Steelers brought in one of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s college teammate – and wide receiver – Martin Nance.

Rucker spent more than two weeks away from the NFL before being signed to the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad.

His stint with the Chiefs was short, as he was released on Wednesday when the Chiefs shuffled their roster.

It’s hard to say if Rucker will catch on with another team this year.

Most teams looking to fill their rosters following injuries to current players seek out experienced veterans, and if rookies or less experienced players are signed they’re typically from Football Bowl Subdivision schools.

Fair? No.

The way it is? Yes.

Despite his size (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) and his speed for being so big (4.46-second 40-yard dash), the knock on Rucker is he spent his final two years playing at Eastern.

While NFL players coming from schools in the Football Championship Subdivision is becoming increasingly more common, there is still a stigma attached to not playing at a big school or playing against top-level competition every game.

Would things have been different if he played all four years at Minnesota? Yes, but not in the way one might think.

Sure Minnesota is an FBS team, and Rucker would have gotten more exposure playing against teams in the Big Ten.

But if had stayed at Minnesota he might not have been the Golden Gophers’ primary receiver.

Rucker was Eastern’s star receiver.

When he ran a deep route, Panthers’ fans knew something exciting might happen. And more often than not, it did. Rucker had an uncanny ability to pull down a ball in traffic or use his size to create separation between himself and defenders.

Rucker has the size, speed and, most importantly, the determination and work ethic to make it in the NFL.

When he was still with Pittsburgh, Rucker said he would stay at the Steelers’ training facility into the early evening poring over his playbook and talking to his coaches in attempt to learn as much as he could as fast as he could.

When he was signed by Kansas City, Rucker said one of the first things he planned on doing was to spend late nights at the Chiefs’ facilities learning the new offense.

Rucker has the will to succeed in the NFL. He also has the natural ability. But it could take time for NFL teams to realize.

Tony Romo spent the first three years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys standing on the sideline wearing a hat, not a helmet, and holding a clipboard, not a ball.

But he got his chance and has made the most of it by leading the Cowboys to the playoffs and becoming a Pro Bowl quarterback.

Even though he hasn’t caught on for good with one team yet, Rucker’s name and the word on his abilities are now out there.

All he needs now is a team willing to give him a chance.

Scott Richey can be reached at 581-7944 or at srrichey@eiu.edu.