Crummey, Feliciano, Gardner, Haynos, Henderson and Lattimore sign with NFL teams
April 28, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - One day after the conclusion of the 2008 NFL Draft, six former University of Maryland football players signed free-agent contracts.
OL Andrew Crummey (San Diego), DL Carlos Feliciano (New England), DB Isaiah Gardner (Jacksonville), TE Joey Haynos (Green Bay), LB Erin Henderson (Minnesota) and RB Keon Lattimore (Dallas) all agreed to deals Monday, according to each of the players.
Defensive tackle Dre Moore was chosen Sunday with the 16th pick in the fourth round (115th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Randy Starks was the last Terrapin defensive lineman to get drafted. He was taken by Tennessee in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Following the 2007 NFL Draft, five Terps signed free-agent contracts with four (Conrad Bolston, Stephon Heyer, Sam Hollenbach and David Holloway) either making a roster or spending time on a practice squad.
Crummey will be among those trying to duplicate that feat. He was rated among the top guards in the nation last season, but missed much of 2007 with a fractured left fibula. Crummey went on to reinjure the leg in the 2008 East-West Shrine game.
Despite playing in just eight games last season, Crummey was a second-team All-America choice by The Sporting News and a third-team selection by the Associated Press.
Henderson was a semifinalist for the 2008 Butkus Award, honoring the top linebacker in the nation. The two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice led the league and ranked ninth nationally in tackles (11.1 per game).
The Aberdeen, Md., native posted 247 career tackles, despite just two seasons in uniform. He missed the entire 2005 campaign with a knee injury and had one year of eligibility remaining.
Henderson joins his brother, E.J., with the Vikings. E.J. Henderson was a second-round choice of Minnesota in the 2003 NFL Draft.
Feliciano was a run-stuffer who played in 41 career games, including 20 starts, all at defensive tackle. He tallied 42 tackles last season.
Gardner was a two-year starter at cornerback. He ranked tied for seventh in the ACC and 72nd in the nation in passes defended (0.92 pg) last season. He had 69 tackles and a team-best 10 pass breakups.
Haynos played in 43 career games after walking on in 2003. He had 68 career receptions and four touchdowns. The Rockville, Md., native played in the 2008 Cornerstone Hula Bowl.
Lattimore was one of the top running backs in school history. He finished his career 14th on the Terps' all-time rushing yards list (1,744). He also played in the 2008 Hula Bowl after earning honorable mention All-ACC honors last season.
RB Lance Ball, TE Jason Goode, DB J.J. Justice, DL Jermaine Lemons and DB Christian Varner are among the former players hoping to catch on with a team as many will hold minicamps and tryouts this weekend.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tribble Drafted by San Diego
Cornerback picked by Chargers in sixth round
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April 27, 2008
Cornerback DeJuan Tribble became the third Boston College Eagle selected in the 2008 NFL draft when the San Diego Chargers chose him as the 26th selection (192nd overall) in the sixth round. Tribble joins Matt Ryan and Gosder Cherilus, who were first-round draft picks Saturday.
The Cincinnati native earned All-ACC second-team honors for the second consecutive season in 2007 and started 37 career games for the Eagles. He finished his BC career with 170 tackles and 15 interceptions and also served as a prolific punt returner (55 returns, 492 yards, one TD).
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April 27, 2008
Cornerback DeJuan Tribble became the third Boston College Eagle selected in the 2008 NFL draft when the San Diego Chargers chose him as the 26th selection (192nd overall) in the sixth round. Tribble joins Matt Ryan and Gosder Cherilus, who were first-round draft picks Saturday.
The Cincinnati native earned All-ACC second-team honors for the second consecutive season in 2007 and started 37 career games for the Eagles. He finished his BC career with 170 tackles and 15 interceptions and also served as a prolific punt returner (55 returns, 492 yards, one TD).
Merling Taken in Second Round of NFL Draft
April 26, 2008
Merling Bio in PDF Format Get Acrobat Reader
Clemson, SC - Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling was the first selection of the second round of the NFL draft Saturday evening by the Miami Dolphins. Merling, a defensive end each of the last three years, left Clemson after his junior year to enter the draft.
Merling finished fifth on the Clemson team, first among defensive linemen this past season with 78 tackles. He had 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks, both team bests for Clemson's top 25 team that won nine games. Merling started every game this past season and played 588 snaps.
Merling was an honorable mention All-American according to Pro Football Weekly and was an honorable mention All-ACC selection. He was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week three times, more than any other ACC player, including Chris Long of Virginia, the number two selection of the 2008 NFL draft. It marked the first time since 2001 that any Clemson player was named ACC Player of the Week three times in the same year.
Merling ranked fifth in the ACC in tackles for loss and was 10th in sacks this past season. The native of St. Mathews, SC was a major reason Clemson ranked ninth in the nation in total defense and 10th in scoring defense. The Tigers ranked in the top 25 in all four major defensive categories all three years he played at Clemson, the only time in school history the Tiger defense has done that three consecutive years.
Chances are good that Merling will make the Dolphins when looking at Clemson's draft history. Every Clemson player who was been drafted within the top 50 selections of the draft since 1964 has gone on to play in the NFL. That is a streak of 28 consecutive top 50 picks from the Clemson program.
Merling is the 15th Clemson underclassman to turn professional since the rule was adopted in 1989. He is the 13th underclassman to be drafted. He is the highest drafted Clemson underclassman since Anthony Simmons was a first round pick after the 1997 season, his junior year.
Clemson has now had a defensive player drafted within the first 32 players of the NFL draft three consecutive years. Clemson, Tennessee, LSU, Miami (FL) and Ohio State are the only schools in the nation to have a player taken within the first 32 picks of the NFL draft each of the last three years. Tennessee, Miami and Clemson are the only schools with a defensive player taken within the top 32 picks each of the last three seasons.
Merling is the first Clemson player drafted by the Dolphins since the 1998 draft when Jim Bundren and Lorenzo Bromell were both taken by that franchise. Bromell was a fouth-round pick and Bundren was a seventh round selection. The last Clemson player to play for the Dolphins was Keith Adams, who was a linebacker for that team in 2006.
Clemson Players Who have Turned Professional Prior to Senior Year
Year Player, Pos Draft Result
1989 Terry Allen, RB 9th round, Minnesota Vikings
1990 Dexter Davis, CB 4th round, Arizona Cardinals
Chris Gardocki, P 3rd round, Chicago Bears
1991 Chester McGlocton, DT 1st round, Oakland Raiders
1992 Ronald Williams, RB Not drafted, played in Canada
1996 Trevor Pryce, DT 1st round, Denver Broncos
1997 Anthony Simmons, LB 1st round, Seattle Seahawks
1998 Rahim Abdullah, OLB 2nd round, Cleveland Browns
Corey Hulsey, OT Not Drafted, Free Agent, Buffalo
2000 Keith Adams, LB 7th round, Tennessee Titans
2003 Derrick Hamilton, WR 3rd, San Francisco 49ers
Donnell Washington, DT 3rd, Green Bay Packers
2004 Justin Miller, CB 2nd, New York Jets
2006 C.J. Gaddis, CB 5th, Philadelphia Eagles
2007 Phillip Merling, DE 2nd, Miami Dolphins
Merling Bio in PDF Format Get Acrobat Reader
Clemson, SC - Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling was the first selection of the second round of the NFL draft Saturday evening by the Miami Dolphins. Merling, a defensive end each of the last three years, left Clemson after his junior year to enter the draft.
Merling finished fifth on the Clemson team, first among defensive linemen this past season with 78 tackles. He had 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks, both team bests for Clemson's top 25 team that won nine games. Merling started every game this past season and played 588 snaps.
Merling was an honorable mention All-American according to Pro Football Weekly and was an honorable mention All-ACC selection. He was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week three times, more than any other ACC player, including Chris Long of Virginia, the number two selection of the 2008 NFL draft. It marked the first time since 2001 that any Clemson player was named ACC Player of the Week three times in the same year.
Merling ranked fifth in the ACC in tackles for loss and was 10th in sacks this past season. The native of St. Mathews, SC was a major reason Clemson ranked ninth in the nation in total defense and 10th in scoring defense. The Tigers ranked in the top 25 in all four major defensive categories all three years he played at Clemson, the only time in school history the Tiger defense has done that three consecutive years.
Chances are good that Merling will make the Dolphins when looking at Clemson's draft history. Every Clemson player who was been drafted within the top 50 selections of the draft since 1964 has gone on to play in the NFL. That is a streak of 28 consecutive top 50 picks from the Clemson program.
Merling is the 15th Clemson underclassman to turn professional since the rule was adopted in 1989. He is the 13th underclassman to be drafted. He is the highest drafted Clemson underclassman since Anthony Simmons was a first round pick after the 1997 season, his junior year.
Clemson has now had a defensive player drafted within the first 32 players of the NFL draft three consecutive years. Clemson, Tennessee, LSU, Miami (FL) and Ohio State are the only schools in the nation to have a player taken within the first 32 picks of the NFL draft each of the last three years. Tennessee, Miami and Clemson are the only schools with a defensive player taken within the top 32 picks each of the last three seasons.
Merling is the first Clemson player drafted by the Dolphins since the 1998 draft when Jim Bundren and Lorenzo Bromell were both taken by that franchise. Bromell was a fouth-round pick and Bundren was a seventh round selection. The last Clemson player to play for the Dolphins was Keith Adams, who was a linebacker for that team in 2006.
Clemson Players Who have Turned Professional Prior to Senior Year
Year Player, Pos Draft Result
1989 Terry Allen, RB 9th round, Minnesota Vikings
1990 Dexter Davis, CB 4th round, Arizona Cardinals
Chris Gardocki, P 3rd round, Chicago Bears
1991 Chester McGlocton, DT 1st round, Oakland Raiders
1992 Ronald Williams, RB Not drafted, played in Canada
1996 Trevor Pryce, DT 1st round, Denver Broncos
1997 Anthony Simmons, LB 1st round, Seattle Seahawks
1998 Rahim Abdullah, OLB 2nd round, Cleveland Browns
Corey Hulsey, OT Not Drafted, Free Agent, Buffalo
2000 Keith Adams, LB 7th round, Tennessee Titans
2003 Derrick Hamilton, WR 3rd, San Francisco 49ers
Donnell Washington, DT 3rd, Green Bay Packers
2004 Justin Miller, CB 2nd, New York Jets
2006 C.J. Gaddis, CB 5th, Philadelphia Eagles
2007 Phillip Merling, DE 2nd, Miami Dolphins
Iron Dukes Announces Inaugural “Duke Athletics Tour” Featuring David Cutcliffe
04/24/2008 - Duke Sports Information
DURHAM, N.C. – The Iron Dukes, Duke University’s fundraising organization for athletic scholarships, is excited to announce the inaugural “Duke Athletics Tour” featuring head football coach David Cutcliffe.
The “Duke Athletics Tour” is a new initiative presented by the Iron Dukes to bring together coaches and Blue Devil fans. The tour will visit eight cities throughout the southeast over the upcoming spring and summer. The tour is open to all Duke alumni, donors and fans.
Destinations for the tour include Charlotte (May 1), Atlanta, Ga. (May 6), Greensboro (May 8), Wilson (May 20), Wilmington (May 21), Knoxville, Tenn. (May 22), Durham (TBA) and Raleigh (TBA).
“We're excited about visiting the Blue Devil fans all across the region,” said Jack Winters, Director of the Iron Dukes. “Our staff is looking forward to the tour and talking about all of the great things happening at Duke.”
For more information about the 2008 “Duke Athletics Tour”, as well as other Iron Dukes events, please visit www.IronDukes.net or call (919) 613-7575.
About the Iron Dukes
The Iron Dukes is a not-for-profit North Carolina entity under the Duke University system that provides an opportunity for alumni, friends and other individuals or groups to support Duke Athletics by providing scholarship support for Duke student-athletes. In its 38-year history, the Iron Dukes organization has raised over $130 million for student-athlete scholarships at Duke and now has well over 9,900 contributors on an annual basis. This year alone, Iron Dukes will contribute over $12 million to student-athlete scholarships. To learn more about the Iron Dukes, visit www.IronDukes.net or call (919) 613-7575.
DURHAM, N.C. – The Iron Dukes, Duke University’s fundraising organization for athletic scholarships, is excited to announce the inaugural “Duke Athletics Tour” featuring head football coach David Cutcliffe.
The “Duke Athletics Tour” is a new initiative presented by the Iron Dukes to bring together coaches and Blue Devil fans. The tour will visit eight cities throughout the southeast over the upcoming spring and summer. The tour is open to all Duke alumni, donors and fans.
Destinations for the tour include Charlotte (May 1), Atlanta, Ga. (May 6), Greensboro (May 8), Wilson (May 20), Wilmington (May 21), Knoxville, Tenn. (May 22), Durham (TBA) and Raleigh (TBA).
“We're excited about visiting the Blue Devil fans all across the region,” said Jack Winters, Director of the Iron Dukes. “Our staff is looking forward to the tour and talking about all of the great things happening at Duke.”
For more information about the 2008 “Duke Athletics Tour”, as well as other Iron Dukes events, please visit www.IronDukes.net or call (919) 613-7575.
About the Iron Dukes
The Iron Dukes is a not-for-profit North Carolina entity under the Duke University system that provides an opportunity for alumni, friends and other individuals or groups to support Duke Athletics by providing scholarship support for Duke student-athletes. In its 38-year history, the Iron Dukes organization has raised over $130 million for student-athlete scholarships at Duke and now has well over 9,900 contributors on an annual basis. This year alone, Iron Dukes will contribute over $12 million to student-athlete scholarships. To learn more about the Iron Dukes, visit www.IronDukes.net or call (919) 613-7575.
FSU Football Will Face The Maine Black Bears In September Of 2009
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Seminoles and the University of Maine.
Click here to find out more!
April 24, 2008
Tallahassee, FL - Florida State announced on Thursday that the school has added the University of Maine to its 2009 football schedule. The game will be played September 5, 2009 in Tallahassee. This is the first meeting between Florida State and Maine and it will be just the eighth time in Maine's 118 seasons of football that the Black Bears have faced a FBS opponent.
The Black Bears were 4-7 in 2007, the inaugural season for football in the Colonial Athletic Association. A member of the FCS, the Black Bears won the Atlantic 10 conference title in 2001 and 2002. Maine also won nine conference titles as members of the Yankee Conference. Coming into the 2008 season, the Black Bears are 1-5 all-time versus current FBS schools. Their lone win came in 2004 when they defeated Mississippi State 9-7. Florida State will mark the second ACC opponent Maine will face in its history, as the Black Bears also took on Boston College during the 2006 season. The Seminoles will be the 91st different opponent in the history of Maine football.
The six previous FBS schools Maine has faced include: Hawai'i (1990), Rutgers (1991), Mississippi State (2004), Nebraska (2005), Boston College (2006) and Connecticut (2007). Maine will continue the trend in 2008 when it opens the season on Aug. 30 at Big Ten-foe Iowa.
Florida State has faced two teams who are current member of the CAA. The Seminoles are 4-2 lifetime versus CAA members posting a 3-1 record versus Villanova and a 1-1 mark against William & Mary. The last time FSU faced a CAA team was in 1960 when the Seminoles defeated William & Mary 22-0.
Click here to find out more!
April 24, 2008
Tallahassee, FL - Florida State announced on Thursday that the school has added the University of Maine to its 2009 football schedule. The game will be played September 5, 2009 in Tallahassee. This is the first meeting between Florida State and Maine and it will be just the eighth time in Maine's 118 seasons of football that the Black Bears have faced a FBS opponent.
The Black Bears were 4-7 in 2007, the inaugural season for football in the Colonial Athletic Association. A member of the FCS, the Black Bears won the Atlantic 10 conference title in 2001 and 2002. Maine also won nine conference titles as members of the Yankee Conference. Coming into the 2008 season, the Black Bears are 1-5 all-time versus current FBS schools. Their lone win came in 2004 when they defeated Mississippi State 9-7. Florida State will mark the second ACC opponent Maine will face in its history, as the Black Bears also took on Boston College during the 2006 season. The Seminoles will be the 91st different opponent in the history of Maine football.
The six previous FBS schools Maine has faced include: Hawai'i (1990), Rutgers (1991), Mississippi State (2004), Nebraska (2005), Boston College (2006) and Connecticut (2007). Maine will continue the trend in 2008 when it opens the season on Aug. 30 at Big Ten-foe Iowa.
Florida State has faced two teams who are current member of the CAA. The Seminoles are 4-2 lifetime versus CAA members posting a 3-1 record versus Villanova and a 1-1 mark against William & Mary. The last time FSU faced a CAA team was in 1960 when the Seminoles defeated William & Mary 22-0.
Five Former Yellow Jackets Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts
Gary Guyton, Kevin Tuminello, Nathan McManus, Mike Cox and Darrell Robertson all sign; more expected to be announced. Click here to find out more!
April 28, 2008
ATLANTA - Five former Georgia Tech football players signed undrafted free agent contracts with NFL teams on Monday. Center Kevin Tuminello and guard Nathan McManus each signed with the New Orleans Saints, while Fullback Mike Cox has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive end Darrell Robertson will join former teammate Tashard Choice, a fourth-round pick in yesterday's draft, on the Dallas Cowboys. On Monday night, Gary Guyton signed with the New England Patriots.
There were 19 former Georgia Tech players on NFL rosters at the close of the 2007 season including three on the roster of the World Champion New York Giants.
As soon as any more signings are announced, they will be available on www.ramblinwreck.com.
2008 NFL Undrafted Free Agent Signings
Kevin Tuminello - New Orleans Saints
Nathan McManus - New Orleans Saints
Mike Cox - Kansas City Chiefs
Darrell Robertson - Dallas Cowboys
Gary Guyton - New England Patriots
Adamm Oliver - TBA
Jamal Lewis - TBA
April 28, 2008
ATLANTA - Five former Georgia Tech football players signed undrafted free agent contracts with NFL teams on Monday. Center Kevin Tuminello and guard Nathan McManus each signed with the New Orleans Saints, while Fullback Mike Cox has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive end Darrell Robertson will join former teammate Tashard Choice, a fourth-round pick in yesterday's draft, on the Dallas Cowboys. On Monday night, Gary Guyton signed with the New England Patriots.
There were 19 former Georgia Tech players on NFL rosters at the close of the 2007 season including three on the roster of the World Champion New York Giants.
As soon as any more signings are announced, they will be available on www.ramblinwreck.com.
2008 NFL Undrafted Free Agent Signings
Kevin Tuminello - New Orleans Saints
Nathan McManus - New Orleans Saints
Mike Cox - Kansas City Chiefs
Darrell Robertson - Dallas Cowboys
Gary Guyton - New England Patriots
Adamm Oliver - TBA
Jamal Lewis - TBA
Six Terps Sign Free-Agent Contracts
Crummey, Feliciano, Gardner, Haynos, Henderson and Lattimore sign with NFL teams
April 28, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - One day after the conclusion of the 2008 NFL Draft, six former University of Maryland football players signed free-agent contracts.
OL Andrew Crummey (San Diego), DL Carlos Feliciano (New England), DB Isaiah Gardner (Jacksonville), TE Joey Haynos (Green Bay), LB Erin Henderson (Minnesota) and RB Keon Lattimore (Dallas) all agreed to deals Monday, according to each of the players.
Defensive tackle Dre Moore was chosen Sunday with the 16th pick in the fourth round (115th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Randy Starks was the last Terrapin defensive lineman to get drafted. He was taken by Tennessee in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Following the 2007 NFL Draft, five Terps signed free-agent contracts with four (Conrad Bolston, Stephon Heyer, Sam Hollenbach and David Holloway) either making a roster or spending time on a practice squad.
Crummey will be among those trying to duplicate that feat. He was rated among the top guards in the nation last season, but missed much of 2007 with a fractured left fibula. Crummey went on to reinjure the leg in the 2008 East-West Shrine game.
Despite playing in just eight games last season, Crummey was a second-team All-America choice by The Sporting News and a third-team selection by the Associated Press.
Henderson was a semifinalist for the 2008 Butkus Award, honoring the top linebacker in the nation. The two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice led the league and ranked ninth nationally in tackles (11.1 per game).
The Aberdeen, Md., native posted 247 career tackles, despite just two seasons in uniform. He missed the entire 2005 campaign with a knee injury and had one year of eligibility remaining.
Henderson joins his brother, E.J., with the Vikings. E.J. Henderson was a second-round choice of Minnesota in the 2003 NFL Draft.
Feliciano was a run-stuffer who played in 41 career games, including 20 starts, all at defensive tackle. He tallied 42 tackles last season.
Gardner was a two-year starter at cornerback. He ranked tied for seventh in the ACC and 72nd in the nation in passes defended (0.92 pg) last season. He had 69 tackles and a team-best 10 pass breakups.
Haynos played in 43 career games after walking on in 2003. He had 68 career receptions and four touchdowns. The Rockville, Md., native played in the 2008 Cornerstone Hula Bowl.
Lattimore was one of the top running backs in school history. He finished his career 14th on the Terps' all-time rushing yards list (1,744). He also played in the 2008 Hula Bowl after earning honorable mention All-ACC honors last season.
RB Lance Ball, TE Jason Goode, DB J.J. Justice, DL Jermaine Lemons and DB Christian Varner are among the former players hoping to catch on with a team as many will hold minicamps and tryouts this weekend.
April 28, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - One day after the conclusion of the 2008 NFL Draft, six former University of Maryland football players signed free-agent contracts.
OL Andrew Crummey (San Diego), DL Carlos Feliciano (New England), DB Isaiah Gardner (Jacksonville), TE Joey Haynos (Green Bay), LB Erin Henderson (Minnesota) and RB Keon Lattimore (Dallas) all agreed to deals Monday, according to each of the players.
Defensive tackle Dre Moore was chosen Sunday with the 16th pick in the fourth round (115th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Randy Starks was the last Terrapin defensive lineman to get drafted. He was taken by Tennessee in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Following the 2007 NFL Draft, five Terps signed free-agent contracts with four (Conrad Bolston, Stephon Heyer, Sam Hollenbach and David Holloway) either making a roster or spending time on a practice squad.
Crummey will be among those trying to duplicate that feat. He was rated among the top guards in the nation last season, but missed much of 2007 with a fractured left fibula. Crummey went on to reinjure the leg in the 2008 East-West Shrine game.
Despite playing in just eight games last season, Crummey was a second-team All-America choice by The Sporting News and a third-team selection by the Associated Press.
Henderson was a semifinalist for the 2008 Butkus Award, honoring the top linebacker in the nation. The two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice led the league and ranked ninth nationally in tackles (11.1 per game).
The Aberdeen, Md., native posted 247 career tackles, despite just two seasons in uniform. He missed the entire 2005 campaign with a knee injury and had one year of eligibility remaining.
Henderson joins his brother, E.J., with the Vikings. E.J. Henderson was a second-round choice of Minnesota in the 2003 NFL Draft.
Feliciano was a run-stuffer who played in 41 career games, including 20 starts, all at defensive tackle. He tallied 42 tackles last season.
Gardner was a two-year starter at cornerback. He ranked tied for seventh in the ACC and 72nd in the nation in passes defended (0.92 pg) last season. He had 69 tackles and a team-best 10 pass breakups.
Haynos played in 43 career games after walking on in 2003. He had 68 career receptions and four touchdowns. The Rockville, Md., native played in the 2008 Cornerstone Hula Bowl.
Lattimore was one of the top running backs in school history. He finished his career 14th on the Terps' all-time rushing yards list (1,744). He also played in the 2008 Hula Bowl after earning honorable mention All-ACC honors last season.
RB Lance Ball, TE Jason Goode, DB J.J. Justice, DL Jermaine Lemons and DB Christian Varner are among the former players hoping to catch on with a team as many will hold minicamps and tryouts this weekend.
Gooden Taken on Day Two of 2008 NFL Draft
April 27, 2008
CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Senior linebacker Tavares Gooden was selected on Day Two of the 2008 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday. Gooden was the only University of Miami Hurricane selected on Sunday, going off the board in the third round as the 71st overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens.
Gooden, a fifth-year senior, led the Hurricanes in total tackles (119) this past season. Playing in all 12 games for UM, Gooden also tallied three tackles for loss, one interception and three fumble recoveries. He joins former Hurricanes Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Willis McGahee on the Ravens' roster.
Last year, Miami had two players taken on the second day. Defensive end Baraka Atkins was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round with the 120th overall pick before defensive tackle Kareem Brown was taken seven picks later by the New England Patriots at No. 127.
On Saturday, juniors Kenny Phillips and Calais Campbell were chosen in the first and second rounds respectively. Phillips extended Miami's record streak of 14 consecutive years in which a Hurricanes player was chosen in the first round when he was selected by the New York Giants with the 31st overall pick before Campbell was chosen later in the day by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round with the 50th overall selection.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Senior linebacker Tavares Gooden was selected on Day Two of the 2008 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday. Gooden was the only University of Miami Hurricane selected on Sunday, going off the board in the third round as the 71st overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens.
Gooden, a fifth-year senior, led the Hurricanes in total tackles (119) this past season. Playing in all 12 games for UM, Gooden also tallied three tackles for loss, one interception and three fumble recoveries. He joins former Hurricanes Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Willis McGahee on the Ravens' roster.
Last year, Miami had two players taken on the second day. Defensive end Baraka Atkins was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round with the 120th overall pick before defensive tackle Kareem Brown was taken seven picks later by the New England Patriots at No. 127.
On Saturday, juniors Kenny Phillips and Calais Campbell were chosen in the first and second rounds respectively. Phillips extended Miami's record streak of 14 consecutive years in which a Hurricanes player was chosen in the first round when he was selected by the New York Giants with the 31st overall pick before Campbell was chosen later in the day by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round with the 50th overall selection.
Morgan, Pressley Selected in NFL Draft
RALEiGH, N.C. - Wolfpack safety Dajuan Morgan was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs as the 19th pick in the third round (82nd overall) of this weekend’s NFL draft and defensive tackle DeMario Pressley was the ninth pick (144th overall) in the fifth round by the New Orleans Saints. Morgan will join his former NC State teammates, defensive lineman Tank Tyler and linebacker Oliver Hoyte, on his new team.
Morgan, who led the Wolfpack in tackles last season, waited for the phone call from his family’s home in Riviera Beach, Fla. “I talked to the coaches and told them I was very happy about getting picked by Kansas City,” said Morgan. “I used to watch [former KC cornerback] Patrick Surtain play and really liked the Chiefs.”
Morgan has also already spoken to his former Wolfpack teammate and now current Chiefs teammate Tank Tyler. “I told him the I couldn’t wait to join him and Ollie and start getting down to business like old times.”
Morgan played in just two games in 2004 before being forced to redshirt because of an injury, Morgan is now the ninth player from that season’s defense that led the NCAA to be drafted by the NFL. Pressley was the 10th member of that 2004 team to be drafted, joining Mario Williams, Manny Lawson, Andre Maddox, Pat Thomas, Stephen Tulloch, AJ Davis, Tyler, Hoyte and Morgan.
Morgan, who led the Wolfpack in tackles last season, waited for the phone call from his family’s home in Riviera Beach, Fla. “I talked to the coaches and told them I was very happy about getting picked by Kansas City,” said Morgan. “I used to watch [former KC cornerback] Patrick Surtain play and really liked the Chiefs.”
Morgan has also already spoken to his former Wolfpack teammate and now current Chiefs teammate Tank Tyler. “I told him the I couldn’t wait to join him and Ollie and start getting down to business like old times.”
Morgan played in just two games in 2004 before being forced to redshirt because of an injury, Morgan is now the ninth player from that season’s defense that led the NCAA to be drafted by the NFL. Pressley was the 10th member of that 2004 team to be drafted, joining Mario Williams, Manny Lawson, Andre Maddox, Pat Thomas, Stephen Tulloch, AJ Davis, Tyler, Hoyte and Morgan.
Balmer Selected In First Round By San Francisco
Defensive tackle goes to 49ers with 29th overall pick.
Click here to find out more!
April 26, 2008
Chapel Hill, N.C. ------ University of North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer was selected Saturday in the first round of the NFL Draft (29th overall) by the San Francisco 49ers. Balmer is the 17th first-round draft pick in school history and the first since Julius Peppers (2nd overall) and Ryan Sims (6th overall) in 2002.
"It's an honor to be picked in the first round, to represent the University of North Carolina and to go to a great organization like San Francisco," said Balmer, who watched the draft at the Kenan Football Center in Chapel Hill. "I appreciate everything Coach Davis and Coach Blake did to prepare me this year for this moment. It's an unbelievable feeling."
Balmer was a standout for the Tar Heels in 2007, finishing second on the team with 59 tackles, including 9.5 for losses and three sacks. He was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick and earned honorable-mention All-America honors from Pro Football Weekly.
"I'm tremendously thrilled for Kentwan," said North Carolina head coach Butch Davis. "All the teams loved his versatility. He was able to play in a pro system here at North Carolina and he flourished under the direction of defensive line coach John Blake. He can play in a 4-3 defense or a 3-4 scheme. He's going to a productive player for the 49ers.
Balmer is the 29th first-round pick Davis has coached or recruited and the first at North Carolina. Davis recruited or coached 28 first-round picks while coaching at the University of Miami.
Click here to find out more!
April 26, 2008
Chapel Hill, N.C. ------ University of North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer was selected Saturday in the first round of the NFL Draft (29th overall) by the San Francisco 49ers. Balmer is the 17th first-round draft pick in school history and the first since Julius Peppers (2nd overall) and Ryan Sims (6th overall) in 2002.
"It's an honor to be picked in the first round, to represent the University of North Carolina and to go to a great organization like San Francisco," said Balmer, who watched the draft at the Kenan Football Center in Chapel Hill. "I appreciate everything Coach Davis and Coach Blake did to prepare me this year for this moment. It's an unbelievable feeling."
Balmer was a standout for the Tar Heels in 2007, finishing second on the team with 59 tackles, including 9.5 for losses and three sacks. He was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick and earned honorable-mention All-America honors from Pro Football Weekly.
"I'm tremendously thrilled for Kentwan," said North Carolina head coach Butch Davis. "All the teams loved his versatility. He was able to play in a pro system here at North Carolina and he flourished under the direction of defensive line coach John Blake. He can play in a 4-3 defense or a 3-4 scheme. He's going to a productive player for the 49ers.
Balmer is the 29th first-round pick Davis has coached or recruited and the first at North Carolina. Davis recruited or coached 28 first-round picks while coaching at the University of Miami.
Long and Albert Go in First Round of NFL Draft
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 04/26/2008
Send this article to a friend Print RSS
bullet Rams Go Long (St. Louis Rams Website)
bullet Long Ready to Get Started (St. Louis Rams Website)
bullet Q/A with Branden Albert (Kansas City Chiefs website)
bullet Linehan anoints Long starter after Rams draft him (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
Chris Long
View larger Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Chris Long
Charlottesville, VA � A pair of Virginia players, defensive end Chris Long and offensive guard Branden Albert, were taken in the first round during the first day of the National Football League’s draft. It marks the 25th consecutive year Virginia has had a player drafted and the second time two UVa players have gone in the first round. The other time it happened was in 1997 when linebacker James Farrior (eighth) and defensive end Jon Harris (25th) were first-round picks.
Long was taken as the second pick overall by the St. Louis Rams. Branden Albert was chosen 15th by the Kansas City Chiefs through a trade with the Detroit Lions. While he played offensive guard at Virginia, Albert is expected to be a tackle on the Chiefs’ offensive line.
Long’s selection was the second highest by a Cavalier. Bill Dudley was the top pick in the 1942 draft.
Combined with Boston College’s Matt Ryan being chosen third by the Atlanta Falcons, the Atlantic Coast Conference became the first conference in the nation to have two of its student-athletes chosen among the top four picks in the NFL Draft for three consecutive years. They joined NC State’s Mario Williams (Houston, 1st) and Virginia’s D’Brickashaw Ferguson (4th, NY Jets) in 2006 and Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson (2nd, Detroit) and Clemson’s Gaines Adams last year (Tampa Bay Bucs, 4th) as top four selections, something no other collegiate conference has achieved in the 71 years of the Draft.
With Long being the first defensive player selected, it marked the third straight year the ACC has had the top defensive player chosen in the Draft following Williams in 2006 and Adams in 2007. It was also the fourth time in the past seven years the conference has had the top defender tabbed in the draft as North Carolina’s Julius Peppers (2nd, Carolina) was the top defensive player chosen in 2002.
The ACC also led all conferences with first round selections having seven players tabbed in the first round including Long, Ryan, Albert, Boston College offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (17th, Detroit), Virginia Tech offensive tackle Duane Brown (26th, Houston), North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer (29th, San Francisco) and Miami defensive back Kenny Phillips (31st, New York Giants). The SEC and PAC-10 were second, each with six players chosen in the first round.
The NFL draft continues Sunday at 10 a.m. with the start of the third round selections.
Virginia's All-Time First-Round Draft Picks
Year Name Pos. Team Overall
1942 Bill Dudley B Pittsburgh Steelers 1
1951 Gene Schroeder E Chicago Bears 12
1976 Tom Glassic G Denver Broncos 15
1986 Jim Dombrowski OT New Orleans Saints 6
1989 Jeff Lageman LB New York Jets 14
1991 Herman Moore WR Detroit Lions 10
1992 Ray Roberts OT Seattle Seahawks 10
1997 James Farrior LB New York Jets 8
1997 Jon Harris DE Philadelphia Eagles 25
1999 Patrick Kerney DE Atlanta Falcons 30
2000 Thomas Jones RB Arizona Cardinals 7
2005 Heath Miller TE Pittsburgh Steelers 30
2006 D’Brickashaw Ferguson OT New York Jets 4
2008 Chris Long DE St. Louis Rams 2
2008 Branden Albert OG Kansas City Chiefs 15
Release: 04/26/2008
Send this article to a friend Print RSS
bullet Rams Go Long (St. Louis Rams Website)
bullet Long Ready to Get Started (St. Louis Rams Website)
bullet Q/A with Branden Albert (Kansas City Chiefs website)
bullet Linehan anoints Long starter after Rams draft him (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
Chris Long
View larger Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Chris Long
Charlottesville, VA � A pair of Virginia players, defensive end Chris Long and offensive guard Branden Albert, were taken in the first round during the first day of the National Football League’s draft. It marks the 25th consecutive year Virginia has had a player drafted and the second time two UVa players have gone in the first round. The other time it happened was in 1997 when linebacker James Farrior (eighth) and defensive end Jon Harris (25th) were first-round picks.
Long was taken as the second pick overall by the St. Louis Rams. Branden Albert was chosen 15th by the Kansas City Chiefs through a trade with the Detroit Lions. While he played offensive guard at Virginia, Albert is expected to be a tackle on the Chiefs’ offensive line.
Long’s selection was the second highest by a Cavalier. Bill Dudley was the top pick in the 1942 draft.
Combined with Boston College’s Matt Ryan being chosen third by the Atlanta Falcons, the Atlantic Coast Conference became the first conference in the nation to have two of its student-athletes chosen among the top four picks in the NFL Draft for three consecutive years. They joined NC State’s Mario Williams (Houston, 1st) and Virginia’s D’Brickashaw Ferguson (4th, NY Jets) in 2006 and Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson (2nd, Detroit) and Clemson’s Gaines Adams last year (Tampa Bay Bucs, 4th) as top four selections, something no other collegiate conference has achieved in the 71 years of the Draft.
With Long being the first defensive player selected, it marked the third straight year the ACC has had the top defensive player chosen in the Draft following Williams in 2006 and Adams in 2007. It was also the fourth time in the past seven years the conference has had the top defender tabbed in the draft as North Carolina’s Julius Peppers (2nd, Carolina) was the top defensive player chosen in 2002.
The ACC also led all conferences with first round selections having seven players tabbed in the first round including Long, Ryan, Albert, Boston College offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (17th, Detroit), Virginia Tech offensive tackle Duane Brown (26th, Houston), North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer (29th, San Francisco) and Miami defensive back Kenny Phillips (31st, New York Giants). The SEC and PAC-10 were second, each with six players chosen in the first round.
The NFL draft continues Sunday at 10 a.m. with the start of the third round selections.
Virginia's All-Time First-Round Draft Picks
Year Name Pos. Team Overall
1942 Bill Dudley B Pittsburgh Steelers 1
1951 Gene Schroeder E Chicago Bears 12
1976 Tom Glassic G Denver Broncos 15
1986 Jim Dombrowski OT New Orleans Saints 6
1989 Jeff Lageman LB New York Jets 14
1991 Herman Moore WR Detroit Lions 10
1992 Ray Roberts OT Seattle Seahawks 10
1997 James Farrior LB New York Jets 8
1997 Jon Harris DE Philadelphia Eagles 25
1999 Patrick Kerney DE Atlanta Falcons 30
2000 Thomas Jones RB Arizona Cardinals 7
2005 Heath Miller TE Pittsburgh Steelers 30
2006 D’Brickashaw Ferguson OT New York Jets 4
2008 Chris Long DE St. Louis Rams 2
2008 Branden Albert OG Kansas City Chiefs 15
Beamer, Curry preparing to defend golf title
Tech twosome to tee off Tuesday in Georgia
April 24, 2008
Greensboro, Ga. - Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer and former Hokie basketball great Dell Curry will return to defend their title at the Chick-fil-A Bowl Alma Mater at Reynolds Plantation on April 29. The nation's premier head coach and celebrity golf event will again assemble a "who's who" list of teams competing against their rivals for a $375,000 scholarship purse.
Last year's champs, Beamer and Curry, will be joined by an impressive list of top NCAA head coaches and celebrities. In all, 14 teams are scheduled to hit the links - all vying for the $100,000 first-place prize.
Newly added teams from Boston College - including head football coach Jeff Jagodinski and actor Chris O'Donnell - and UConn - with head basketball coach Jim Calhoun and former NBA forward Donny Marshall - will help make this the most elite coach and celebrity golf event in the country.
Other returning players include Ralph Friedgen (Maryland), Jim Grobe (Wake Forest), Nick Saban (Alabama), Steve Spurrier (South Carolina) and Tommy Tuberville (Auburn).
"This field of coaches and celebrities is simply awesome," said Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl president. "One thing is for sure, this year's match will be even more toughly contested than last year's. These guys are coming out here to win."
The Chick-fil-A Bowl Alma Mater at Reynolds Plantation features pairings that include a university head coach and a celebrity alumnus from the same school competing in a scramble format against other university teams from around the country.
Hokie basketball great Dell Curry, Chick-fil-A Bowl president Gary Stokan, head coach Frank Beamer
The celebrity round will be taped for broadcast and aired nationally by CBS from 2-4 p.m. (ET) on Christmas Day.
In addition to the $375,000 scholarship purse, another $50,000 of the proceeds will be donated to the Reynolds Foundation.
"We are blessed to be in a position to give back through this event and continue our support of college scholarships and our community by donating a total of $425,000 back to the participating universities and the Reynolds Foundation," Stokan said.
For more information on the event, visit www.Chick-fil-ABowlAlmaMater.com.
The 2008 field currently includes:
TEAM COACH CELEBRITY
Alabama Nick Saban Ken Stabler
Auburn Tommy Tuberville Pat Sullivan
Boston College Jeff Jagodinski Chris O'Donnell
Georgia Tech Paul Johnson Jon Barry
Maryland Ralph Friedgen Neil O'Donnell
South Carolina Steve Spurrier Sterling Sharpe
UCLA Rick Neuheisel Sinjin Smith
UConn Jim Calhoun Donny Marshall
Virginia Tech Frank Beamer Dell Curry
Wake Forest Jim Grobe Billy Packer
April 24, 2008
Greensboro, Ga. - Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer and former Hokie basketball great Dell Curry will return to defend their title at the Chick-fil-A Bowl Alma Mater at Reynolds Plantation on April 29. The nation's premier head coach and celebrity golf event will again assemble a "who's who" list of teams competing against their rivals for a $375,000 scholarship purse.
Last year's champs, Beamer and Curry, will be joined by an impressive list of top NCAA head coaches and celebrities. In all, 14 teams are scheduled to hit the links - all vying for the $100,000 first-place prize.
Newly added teams from Boston College - including head football coach Jeff Jagodinski and actor Chris O'Donnell - and UConn - with head basketball coach Jim Calhoun and former NBA forward Donny Marshall - will help make this the most elite coach and celebrity golf event in the country.
Other returning players include Ralph Friedgen (Maryland), Jim Grobe (Wake Forest), Nick Saban (Alabama), Steve Spurrier (South Carolina) and Tommy Tuberville (Auburn).
"This field of coaches and celebrities is simply awesome," said Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl president. "One thing is for sure, this year's match will be even more toughly contested than last year's. These guys are coming out here to win."
The Chick-fil-A Bowl Alma Mater at Reynolds Plantation features pairings that include a university head coach and a celebrity alumnus from the same school competing in a scramble format against other university teams from around the country.
Hokie basketball great Dell Curry, Chick-fil-A Bowl president Gary Stokan, head coach Frank Beamer
The celebrity round will be taped for broadcast and aired nationally by CBS from 2-4 p.m. (ET) on Christmas Day.
In addition to the $375,000 scholarship purse, another $50,000 of the proceeds will be donated to the Reynolds Foundation.
"We are blessed to be in a position to give back through this event and continue our support of college scholarships and our community by donating a total of $425,000 back to the participating universities and the Reynolds Foundation," Stokan said.
For more information on the event, visit www.Chick-fil-ABowlAlmaMater.com.
The 2008 field currently includes:
TEAM COACH CELEBRITY
Alabama Nick Saban Ken Stabler
Auburn Tommy Tuberville Pat Sullivan
Boston College Jeff Jagodinski Chris O'Donnell
Georgia Tech Paul Johnson Jon Barry
Maryland Ralph Friedgen Neil O'Donnell
South Carolina Steve Spurrier Sterling Sharpe
UCLA Rick Neuheisel Sinjin Smith
UConn Jim Calhoun Donny Marshall
Virginia Tech Frank Beamer Dell Curry
Wake Forest Jim Grobe Billy Packer
Tereshinski Signs with San Diego Chargers
Former Deacon the first free agent signing of 2008
Click here to find out more!
April 28, 2008
Wake Forest tight end John Tereshinski has signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers.
Tereshinski, a 6-3, 240-pound tight end from Athens, GA, was Wake Forest's third-leading receiver in 2007 with 28 catches for 355 yards and two touchdowns. He caught the game-tying touchdown pass that led to the Deacons' overtime win over Maryland.
He finished his career with 60 receptions for 702 yards and four touchdowns. Tereshinski averaged 11.7 yards per reception for his career.
Tereshinski comes from a storied football family. His grandfather, Joe, played at Georgia and with the Washington Redskins from 1947-54. John's father, Joseph, Jr., played for Georgia and was the starting center on the 1976 SEC Championship team. He currently serves as Georgia's strength coach. John's brother, Joe, is a former quarterback for the Bulldogs.
Click here to find out more!
April 28, 2008
Wake Forest tight end John Tereshinski has signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers.
Tereshinski, a 6-3, 240-pound tight end from Athens, GA, was Wake Forest's third-leading receiver in 2007 with 28 catches for 355 yards and two touchdowns. He caught the game-tying touchdown pass that led to the Deacons' overtime win over Maryland.
He finished his career with 60 receptions for 702 yards and four touchdowns. Tereshinski averaged 11.7 yards per reception for his career.
Tereshinski comes from a storied football family. His grandfather, Joe, played at Georgia and with the Washington Redskins from 1947-54. John's father, Joseph, Jr., played for Georgia and was the starting center on the 1976 SEC Championship team. He currently serves as Georgia's strength coach. John's brother, Joe, is a former quarterback for the Bulldogs.
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