Hometown Heroes: Manatee High's Quenton Bundrage having comeback season at Iowa State
Quenton Bundrage eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for career reception yards in Iowa State's 38-13 victory over Kansas last week.
The Manatee High product caught three passes for 20 yards and now has 11 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown for the season.
The fifth-year senior suffered a knee injury on the first offensive play of the 2014 season opener against North Dakota State and didn't play the rest of the year. He entered this season with 908 receiving yards (68 catches) and 11 TDs. Bundrage was a third team All-Big 12 selection in 2013 and considered the team's top receiver.
DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE --After being out with a concussion, New York Giants cornerback and Lakewood Ranch product Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returned and played an instrumental role in the Giants 24-10 victory over Buffalo. Rodgers-Cromartie was credited with four tackles, including three solos and a tackle for loss.
For those who hadn't noticed, DRC is now wearing No. 41, which is a tribute to his character. He gave his No. 21 jersey to rookie safety Landon Collins in an example of unselfishness. Collins looked up to the late Sean Taylor, who wore No. 21 in the NFL and when DRC heard Collins' story he gave him the jersey for nothing.
"It means a lot to me so I am very thankful he was so willing to give it up," Collins said.
DRC said he doesn't care what number wears and he was moved by Collins love for Taylor.
JON DOWLING -- Another former Southeast player has landed back in the NFL. After getting cut by the Oakland Raiders, the defensive back was recently signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad.
Media reports said Dowling was released for "matu
rity" reasons and the coaches thought he had potential to be an NFL player.
A.J. STRONG -- The former Out-Of-Door-Academy record-setting rusher could be finishing his college career in good fashion at NAIA Campbellsville University (Ky.), if he can stay healthy. The senior running back is averaging four yards per carry (34 carries for 137 yards) with a touchdown despite battling injuries. He had his best game against Webber International, when he ran for 82 yards on 14 carries.
Strong missed Campbellsville's game against Union College, where former Manatee High defensive end standout C.J. Hunnicutt is an assistant. Campbellsville is 3-2 and 1-0 in the West Division of the Mid-South Conference.
BRIAN POOLE -- Poole was right in the middle of things for Florida in the Gators 38-10 drubbing over previously undefeated Mississippi last Saturday at The Swamp.
Playing mostly nickel, he tied for second on the team with seven tackles. The Southeast High product had three solo tackles and an assist on a tackle for loss. Poole has been playing well and could be selected in the 2016 NFL draft next spring ,though how he plays through the season could determine what round he is chosen.
MIKE JENKINS -- Another Southeast product, Mike Jenkins, got his first start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. The cornerback was credited with a solo tackle and a pass deflection.
This story was originally published October 7, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Hometown Heroes: Manatee High's Quenton Bundrage having comeback season at Iowa State ."