Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has the name to play NFL defensive back. His first cousin is San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who led the league with 10 interceptions last season.

Rodgers-Cromartie also has the game.

In 44 games, 39 of them starts, Rodgers-Cromartie had 158 tackles, 11 interceptions, six touchdowns and 14 pass breakups. He played on every special teams unit, making 14 tackles in his career and blocking eight kicks, while averaging 23.9 yards on 36 kickoff returns and 7.3 yards on six punt returns.

"He's a talented young man," Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said. "...He certainly has some unique skills and talents."

Rodgers-Cromartie went to four high schools in Florida, finishing at Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton. He didn't get on the field until his senior season. That's why only Tennessee State offered a scholarship.

But once he got there, it didn't take him long to figure out he had potential to be a dominant defensive back.

"Coming in, I thought I needed to redshirt and put on a few pounds," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "But in camp, I did a tremendous job, and every day, I got my hand on a ball. The first game, the first time I got my hands on the ball, I got an interception and scored."

Before his senior season, Rodgers-Cromartie's father set up a workout with Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green. Rodgers-Cromartie spent a week learning.

"He changed my whole style of game as far as coming out of my backpedal and coming out of breaks," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "He made me faster and quicker coming out of breaks, all technique stuff."

Rodgers-Cromartie also has gotten help from Cromartie. Rodgers-Cromartie only recently discovered the two were related, and since then, the Chargers' All-Pro has been calling with advice.

Rodgers-Cromartie helped himself at the Senior Bowl, where he earned defensive player of the game honors.

"Coming from a small school, I was like a guy that was going under the radar, but then in the Senior Bowl, I had a good week and a pretty OK game," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "Now people are starting to recognize me."