Last weekend's rookie minicamp offered Martin Rucker just a taste of what's to come.

"It's definitely not college anymore," Rucker said Friday, just after his first NFL practice. "Everything's a lot faster. The coaches are a lot more demanding. You're a freshman all over again."

That his head is spinning now makes him a pretty typical rookie. But part of the Browns' attraction to the player who became their second of two fourth-round picks is that plenty of things point to Rucker fitting in - and contributing - sooner rather than later.

His brother, Mike, just retired after a successful 10-year NFL career as a defensive end. Martin Rucker was a four-year contributor and a major part of a successful turnaround at the University of Missouri; he leaves as the school's all-time leader in receptions. He's certainly big and athletic enough to play in the NFL, and the Browns drafted a good person as well.

"What I'll say about his character is that when he comes into your locker room, you're already a better football team," Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel said. "He was a captain for us. He learns well. He's athletic, a big playmaker. He made big plays, big catches in tough situations.

"He's a complete player. I have no question he'll be a very high level player in the NFL."

Most who know Rucker call him "T," his middle initial, as not to confuse him with his father of the same name. Martin Rucker Sr. is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives who just got into politics seven years ago; he's worked at the same manufacturing plant for 27 years while he and his wife raised four children.

Martin Rucker II said he never felt any family pressure to play football or to further follow in Mike's footsteps and attend Nebraska. In another twist of fate, he had one of his best games last fall in Missouri's rout of Nebraska, catching 9 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.

"We always got mismatches with him," Pinkel said. "We'd get him matched up with linebackers and small corners. Not many guys his size can go out and play on the perimeter and look like they belong.

"I've read that people say he can't block. But there's no question in mind he can block. He played everywhere, and he played. When I think about him I think about big fourth down catches, big catches on the goal line, big third down catches. This guy answered the call."

Rucker was a first-team All-American last fall, the first Missouri player to achieve that honor since Justin Smith in 2000 and the first MU tight end to do since Kellen Winslow Sr. did it in 1978. Rucker attracted attention from a lot of teams during the pre-draft process, but he said he "didn't have a clue" the Browns were interested.

"But I'm coming in here at a great time," he said. "I'm waiting to contribute any way I can."

"I talked to a bunch of different coaches, personnel people and scouts," Pinkel said. "You never know where a guy is going to land. But the bottom line is the Browns felt they already have Kellen Winslow and this guy is going to be a great player also."

Rucker believes it bodes well for him that Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is a former tight end himself.

"You see how he gets the ball to Kellen," Rucker said. "I can only hope to be as great as him one day."