Mike Compton was a consensus All-American for Mountaineer football, starting at center from 1990-92 and earning four varsity letters. A finalist for the Lombardi Award, he earned first team All-America honors from The Sporting News, Playboy, Football News, Kodak, Walter Camp, AP and UPI; he also was a first team All-Big East selection the first two years of that league's existence. He served as team captain as a senior and played in the East-West Shrine and Hula Bowl all-star games.
Â
A native of Richlands, Virginia, Compton was decorated off the field as well for his academic and service achievements. A CoSIDA Academic All-American as a junior and senior, the honors student in physical education received the NCAA Top Six award and was selected to speak to the 1993 NCAA Convention in Dallas representing all student-athletes.
Â
Selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, Compton played there eight years, serving as a starter on offensive lines that produced Barry Sanders' record-setting seasons. From 2001-03, he was a member of the New England Patriots, earning two Super Bowl rings. Having played every offensive line position during his professional career, he spent the 2004 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Â
He was named an inaugural member of WVU’s Mountaineer Legends Society in 2016.
