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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia’s 2008 NFL Draft crop yields several surprise picks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If I didn’t miss anybody, there were 11 former Georgia high school players taken in the NFL Draft this past weekend. These are not the 11 guys you would have predicted to be wearing NFL caps five years ago, based on their high school careers.
Only one, Thomas Brown, was an AJC Super 11 pick. Only two others, Tashard Choice and Andre Fluellen, were rated three stars or above by Rivals or Scout. The rest were one or two stars. Here are the 11.
Leodis McKelvin, Ware County - The only first-round pick among Georgians, McKelvin went to the Bills at No. 11 overall. He was the cornerback from Troy who returned seven punts for touchdowns in his career. He was first-team all-state in 2003 but a two-star recruit, according to Scout.com.
Dexter Jackson, Dunwoody - This is the Appalachian State receiver who caught two touchdown passes vs. Michigan and wound up on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He ran a 4.27 at the NFL combine and went in the second round to Tampa Bay. Jackson caught only 30 passes in his career at Dunwoody and wasn’t recruited by any Division 1 schools.
Harry Douglas, Jonesboro - Drafted by the Falcons in the third round, Douglas was an honorable mention All-State in high school. He had 40 catches for 831 yards as a high school senior and considered a better basketball player. Douglas caught 141 passes in his last two seasons at Louisville. Another two-star recruit.
Andre Fluellen, Cartersville - A three-star recruit who went to Florida State and red-shirted and slowly became a star at defensive tackle. Drafted by the Lions in the third round.
Philip Wheeler, Shaw - A two-star recruit, Wheeler was the fourth best linebacker in Georgia Tech’s class of 2003, according to Scout. He was first-team all-state and played on Shaw’s 2000 state championship team. Drafted by the Colts late in the third.
Tashard Choice, Lovejoy - Rushed for 1,200 yards as a high school senior and was highly regarded as a recruit. Rivals rated him the No. 22 running back in the nation. He led the ACC twice in rushing for Tech. Drafted by Dallas in the fifth round.
Erik Walden, Dublin - A one-star recruit, Walden was first-team all-state for Dublin’s 14-1 team that lost to Screven County in the Class AAA final. Walden had 19 sacks as a high school senior but was not a big recruit. Went to Middle Tennessee State, was drafted by Dallas in the sixth round.
Durant Brooks, Tattnall Square - A punter, Brooks played for a GISA school, then two years at Georgia Military. The Redskins took him in the sixth.
Thomas Brown, Tucker - The AJC’s 2003 Super 11 class was pretty typical. Four will make the NFL (Brown, Calvin Johnson, Darius Walker and Charles Johnson). Three were good college players who might still make the NFL (Michael Grant, Brad Lester, Lorenzo Washington). Three were decent college players who never became full-time starters in college (A.J. Bryant, Jeremy Ciulla, Brandon Miller). One was a bust (Eric McClendon).
Brandon Coutu, Collins Hill - Coffee’s Chase Goggans was the all-state kicker and punter in 2002 and got a scholarship at FSU, where he never started. Coutu walked on at Georgia. He went to Seattle in the seventh.
Larry Grant, Norcross - Who remembers this guy? He played two seasons at Meadowcreek, then transferred to Norcross for his senior season, then transferred in mid-year to graduate in California. After two years of junior college, he would up starting last season at Ohio State as a linebacker. Grant rushed for 450 yards at Norcross and was a small-time recruit.
And finally, the Georgia NFL Draft quiz*
1. Who is the last Georgia quarterback to be drafted in the first round?
2. Who is the only kicker or punter from Georgia to be drafted in the first round?
3. Who is the only Georgia player to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft?
4. Who is the most recent Gwinnett County player drafted in the first round?
5. Who is the most recent DeKalb County player drafted in the first round?
6. Who is the only Georgia player to graduate from an all-black high school and be drafted in the first round?
7. Who was the only Georgia player drafted in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft?
8. In 1998, two players from the same Georgia high school were drafted in the first round. Who were they?
9. The Falcons have picked two Georgia natives in the first round. Who were they?
10. Two players from Douglass High have been picked in the first round this decade. Who are they?
*Answers later
Kick off the debate: Are you surprised by the picks out of Georgia in this year’s NFL Draft? Who do you think will enjoy a long, productive pro football career and who do you think is overrated? Who should’ve gone higher and who was chosen TOO high?
Permalink | Comments (33) | Post your comment | Categories: Extra Point
Comments
By jimmy
April 28, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Jason Foster sign with miami /won walter paton award/ Bill knows talent
By JS
April 28, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Choice and Wheeler are surprises for sure… They were drafted too low.
By Bill
April 28, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
I thank Brandon Coutu will have a long pro career.
By Bill
April 28, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
I thank Brandon Coutu will have a long pro career.
By tjs
April 28, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Could be GA football is over-rated, also the scout systems I have always thought were way off… tjs
By AYKM
April 28, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Choice a surprise?!? He’s one of the hardest working, most talented RB’s in the country…
By wth
April 28, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Brooks will be an awesome addition to the NFL. He’s an incredible kicker.
By Blind Homer
April 28, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Brown got drafted but may not make the team. I guess he can be an emergency running back that will play some on special teams. Basically a wasted throw away pick for marketing reasons.
By Sylvia R. Williams
April 28, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
was Marcus Dixson drafted?
By Todd Holcomb
April 28, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
So no takers on the quiz? Hint: #1 is a trick question.
was Marcus Dixson drafted?
No, Dixon (formerly of Pepperell) was not drafted, though he is expected to sign as a free agent. Good question. Dixon is a defensive end from Hampton University. He was the A student whose 10-year sentence for having sex with a minor was overturned in 2003.
Could be GA football is over-rated, also the scout systems I have always thought were way off… tjs
Having 11 players drafted out of about 220 is a good number, so it’s not that Georgia didn’t have many players drafted. It’s the fact that most of these 11 weren’t what you’d call blue-chip recruits.
Choice a surprise?!? He’s one of the hardest working, most talented RB’s in the country.
No, Choice was no surprise. The rest, with the exceptions of Thomas Brown and perhaps Andre Fluellen, were surprises based on their high school careers. Five years ago, you would not have predicted that they would be drafted.
By bj
April 28, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Marcus dixon signed with the cowboys
By slalom1
April 28, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
To: TODD, Hate to bring up controversy, but here goes: After having studied this year’s NFL draft, it occurred to me that there were virtually no players taken from predominately African-American schools, even though history has shown that some of the NFL “all-time greats” came from such schools. Why is this? I find it hard to believe that schools like Grambling, Tuskeegee, Fort Valley, etc. had no players worthy of the NFL draft. Not too many years ago, there were players like Tyrone Poole who were taken in the first round. Would like to hear some feed back on this subject.
By DT
April 28, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
I just checked NFL.com and it appears that Marcus Dixon was not drafted. I think he will be given a shot by someone.
By bj
April 28, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
Marcus dixon was picked up by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. It is a shame what happened with this kid, he is in a good situation in dallas… Besides no matter what his story he will never top his new teammate Pacman Jones, oh wait another Georgia product, and a first round pick!
By DJ
April 28, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Marcus Dixon is listed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys.
By JAYSON FOSTER'S BIGGEST FAN
April 28, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
Jayson Foster’s hometown (Canton, GA) is proud. He is an awesome athlete and a GREAT MAN. We wish him success.
By gpc
April 28, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
I am suprised Gary Guyton didnt get drafted. Didnt he run like a 4.4/40. I guess Marcus Howard didnt impressed either. Dexter Jackson out of App State was only an above average receiver. I guess when u run a 4.3/40 that takes you from a late round pick to a 2nd rounder.
By RedandBlack
April 28, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Did Sean Bailey get drafted or sign on with anyone?
By Todd Holcomb
April 28, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Sean Bailey signed with Kansas City. Other Georgia players who have signed are RB Kregg Lumpkin (Green Bay), DB Kelin Johnson (Seattle), OL Fernando Velasco (Tennessee) and DE Brandon Miller (Atlanta). So perhaps we can add Brandon Miller to the list of 2003 Super 11 players who might make the NFL, although you’ve got to figure he’s a longshot.
Hate to bring up controversy, but here goes: After having studied this year’s NFL draft, it occurred to me that there were virtually no players taken from predominately African-American schools, even though history has shown that some of the NFL “all-time greats” came from such schools. Why is this? I find it hard to believe that schools like Grambling, Tuskeegee, Fort Valley, etc. had no players worthy of the NFL draft. Not too many years ago, there were players like Tyrone Poole who were taken in the first round. Would like to hear some feed back on this subject.
Never thought about it. My guess is that places like Grambling and Fort Valley (Division II) are seen more and more as small-time football compared even to 1-AA (Georgia Southern, Furman, etc.). There are more 1-AA and 1-A programs nowadays and therefore more opportunities to play up. Valdosta State is better than Grambling.
The last first-round pick from Grambling was Doug Williams. There hasn’t been a Pro Bowl player from Grambling since 1998.
The last Fort Valley State player drafted was Peppi Zellner in 1999.
There is not one active player in the NFL from Southern University.
Never noticed all that until you mention it.
By slalom1
April 28, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
To: TODD, here is one: Tyrone Poole. Fort Valley State. Drafted in 1995. 1st round. 22nd overall pick.
By jj
April 29, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Ervin Baldwin from Michigan State was picked by the Bears in the seventh or eighth round. He is from Ideal, Georgia and played at Macon County High for Coach Bobby Hughes.
By RH
April 29, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
* In 1998, two players from the same Georgia high school were drafted in the first round. Who were they?*
Takeo Spikes (Bengals) & Robert Edwards (Patriots) - both from Washington County
By RH
April 29, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
* In 1998, two players from the same Georgia high school were drafted in the first round. Who were they?*
Takeo Spikes (Bengals) & Robert Edwards (Patriots) - both played at Washington County
By Todd Holcomb
April 29, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Ervin Baldwin from Michigan State was picked by the Bears in the seventh or eighth round. He is from Ideal, Georgia and played at Macon County High for Coach Bobby Hughes.
Thanks for heads-up on Baldwin, JJ. He was one of about a dozen draft picks that didn’t have a profile on NFL.com, and I didn’t remember him from high school.
Takeo Spikes (Bengals) & Robert Edwards (Patriots) - both played at Washington County.
Correct. This group has been otherwise pitiful with the trivia questions.
Here are more answers:
Who is the last Georgia quarterback to be drafted in the first round? Never been one.
Who is the only kicker or punter from Georgia to be drafted in the first round? Ray Guy
Who is the only Georgia player to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft? George Rogers
Who is the most recent Gwinnett County player drafted in the first round? Pollack
Who is the most recent DeKalb County player drafted in the first round?
Who is the only Georgia player to graduate from an all-black high school and be drafted in the first round? Clarence Scott.
Who was the only Georgia player drafted in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft? Calvin Johnson
In 1998, two players from the same Georgia high school were drafted in the first round. Who were they? Edwards & Spikes
The Falcons have picked two Georgia natives in the first round. Who were they? Keith Brooking, Royce Smith.
Two players from Douglass High have been picked in the first round this decade. Who are they? Batman Carroll, Jamal Lewis.
By RH
April 29, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Who is the most recent DeKalb County player drafted in the first round?
2008 - Thomas Brown (Falcons)(Tucker High School)
By Todd Holcomb
April 29, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
**Who is the most recent DeKalb County player drafted in the first round?
2008 - Thomas Brown (Falcons)(Tucker High School)**
Almost. Brown wasn’t drafted in the fist round, though.
Last first-rounder from DeKalb was Lakeside’s Huey Richardson, to which my editor replied, “Never heard of him.” … But he was big-time back in the day. Played at Florida.
By RH
April 29, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the incorrect Thomas Brown answer…didn’t read the question…
Is it Harris Barton? played tackle at Dunwoody and then on to UNC…1st round pick of the 49ers…
By Todd Holcomb
April 29, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Barton was the second most-recent first-rounder from DK. As reported, Huey Richardson of Lakeside was the most recent, around 1991, I think.
By General Neyland
April 30, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Lumpkin was a sure bet for the NFL until he chose to waste-away in Mark Richt’s offense. UGA…where great high school All-Americans go to fade away.
Jamal Lewis, Tucker taken in the 1st round in 1999.
By Todd Holcomb
May 1, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Lumpkin was a sure bet for the NFL until he chose to waste-away in Mark Richt’s offense.
Didn’t help that he tore his ACL as a freshman and was injured again as a senior, missing most of the season.
I’m not sure how many All-Americans that Richt has had. Musa Smith is in the NFL, a 4-year vet. Verron Haynes and Danny Ware, neither of which were close to being All-Americans in high school, are on NFL rosters. Thomas Brown was drafted (unlike Darius Walker) despite losing quite a bit of time to an ACL injury. Knowshon Moreno, a first-team All-SEC player last season, is projected to be a first-round pick. So I don’t know who’s faded away.
Meanwhile, no Tennessee running back who played against Georgia in the Mark Richt era is playing in the NFL.
By Haywood Jablowme
May 1, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Jamal Lewis, Tucker, convicted felon, 2005. Tennessee…..where football players learn how to become criminals.
By V-town
May 2, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
Eric McClendon is in Vidalia GA one of the most sort after football player in GA doing nothing,but what happen to his Brandon Mclendon from West Virginia Tech
By cussetta journey
May 4, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this
Ervin Baldwin is from Oglethorpe,GA