ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed second-round draft choice QB Drew Stanton to a four-year deal. Additional terms of Stanton's contract were not disclosed. The team also released DE Bill Swancutt.
Stanton (6-3, 226), was taken by the Lions 43rd overall in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, where he led the Spartans with his accuracy and superb ability to run and scramble. Stanton, who remains in his home state of Michigan, comes to Detroit after appearing with the Spartans 36 times, including 29 starts.
Throughout his career, Stanton compiled 6,524 passing yards for 42 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. His completion percentage (64.18 percent) is a school career record. It also ranks as the all-time second best percentage in Big Ten history. Stanton completed at least 60-percent of his passes over his final three seasons at Michigan State. His uncanny ability to run under pressure earned him the second highest rushing total in school history with 1,512 yards. Stanton also ranks second all-time among Spartans gaining over 8,000 yards of total offense. He broke yet another school record from 2004-06 as he threw for over 200 yards in 14 consecutive games.
In 2006 Stanton was named an All-American and All-Big Ten Conference preseason selection. He started the first 11 games for the Spartans, throwing for 1,807 yards with 12 touchdowns and ten interceptions. Even as a QB, Stanton finished second on the team with an impressive 445 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 110 carries.
Stanton earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention from the league's media in 2005. He started every game for the Spartans, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdown passes. Stanton was credited as eight in the nation in total offense (310.5ypg), 10th in passing efficiency (153.4) and 11th in points-per-game (15.64). He was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
In 2004 Stanton was named Academic All-Big Ten Conference for the second consecutive year. The coaches and media also selected him as an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team. Stanton played in 10 games (seven starts) throwing for 1,601 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. His completion percentage (64.1) was second best all-time for the Spartans.
Stanton appeared in 13 games during the 2003season as part of the special teams unit. He saw only limited action as a QB appearing in just four games. Stanton redshirted during the Spartans 2002 season.
Swancutt (6-4, 265), saw limited action in eight games as a rookie in 2005 after being drafted by Detroit in the sixth round (184th overall) of the NFL Draft. He was having a strong training camp in 2006 before suffering a knee injury which forced him onto the reserve/injured list. Swancutt started 38 games at Oregon State and was selected Pac-10 Conference's Pat Tillman co-Defensive Player of the Year (along with Lions DT Shaun Cody) following his senior season.