Among the All-Americans and first-team conference performers from Division I seasons past, a former Griffon continues to make his case for peer status.

Michael Cobbins transitioned from Division II football at Missouri Western to the Arena Football League ranks this season. Now he calls former Texas Tech quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who led the NCAA in passing in 2004, and UCLA defensive end Justin Hickman, an All-American in 2006, teammates. But for Cobbins to prove he belongs on the L.A. Avengers’ active roster means heeding the advice of former high school coach Andy Ashley.

“He said, 'Michael, know you are supposed to be here,’ and I believe I am supposed to be here,” Cobbins said. “There is no awe, I am playing with such and such.”

And Cobbins remains confident his practice-squad duties will translate into game appearances by the end of the current Avengers’ schedule, which has 12 regular-season games remaining.

Cobbins starred at defensive end for Missouri Western from 2003-06, earning All-MIAA, first-team honors his last three seasons in St. Joseph. But after graduating, Cobbins opted to wait on pursing any professional opportunities, focusing his energies on a new marriage and a coaching/teaching job at Hickman Mills High School in Kansas City.

Spending time with prep athletes only fueled Cobbins’ desire to return to the playing field himself. So after listening to overtures from a few Arena 2 teams, Cobbins aimed a little higher and earned a workout with the Chicago Rush. He also received a camp invitation from the Kansas City Brigade — both AFL teams. But without a guaranteed contract from either team, it took a phone call from a stranger to get him into the league.

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Mike McFarland started with Western last season as a tight ends coach. Two coaching stops prior, he worked with Bill Dobson at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Dobson became a mentor for McFarland before landing a coaching position with the Avengers six years ago. He currently heads L.A.’s offensive line and fullbacks and was looking for a few players to fill out the roster back in January.

Some Arena League teams like to turn undersized defensive ends into fullbacks, believing they have more athleticism and strength than the typical fullback coming out of college. L.A.’s starting fullback, Lonnie Ford, played defensive end at the University of Southern California before coming to the AFL, and Cobbins’ 6-foot-1, 265-pound frame was ideal for the position even though he hasn’t lined up in the backfield since high school.

McFarland never has met Cobbins but heard the praise heaped upon the former defensive end by teammates and coaches. So McFarland passed along Cobbins’ name and number to Dobson along with a character recommendation, and within three days of contacting Cobbins, the Avengers flew him out to L.A., put Cobbins through a mini-camp and signed him to their practice squad.

Cobbins signed for the league minimum of $29,000 but lives in a Venice Beach apartment supplied by the team, which covers his living expenses — all on a few recommendations and some film of his playing days at Western.

But the circumstances haven’t left Cobbins feeling he received a favor. Cobbins believes he belongs on the field with those record holders and All-Americans.

“I believe in my abilities, and I know I will be playing sometime this year,” said Cobbins, who added he believes Ford could retire at the end of this season.

As for Cobbins’ career, he only sees himself pursing this professional dream for five or six seasons before moving on to something else. Playing pro football is only one goal on his life’s list.

“I don’t see myself playing at 31 or 32. I don’t want to put my body through that,” Cobbins said. “There are other things I want to do.”

But in the meantime, Cobbins intends to enjoy being one call away from playing his first professional game, living three blocks from the beach in one of the most glamorous cities in the world and sharing a field with former Division I stars.

Sports reporter R.J. Cooper can be contacted at rjcooper@npgco.com