DEL.ICIO.USNFL DRAFT
Sunday was for Georgia’s defensive players
DT Irvin, CB Allen and DE Wynn picked in second day of NFL Draft
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Defensive tackle Corvey Irvin made the most of his opportunity when an injury to a teammate thrust him into Georgia’s starting lineup last fall.
It paid off Sunday, with Irvin — hardly on pro football’s radar at the start of the season — being chosen in the third round of the NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Cornerback Asher Allen went in the third round (86th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings.
“I feel like it’s Christmas morning right now,” Irvin said on a conference call. “I’m just so proud.”
After three Georgia offensive players — quarterback Matthew Stafford, tailback Knowshon Moreno and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi — were taken in the first two rounds Saturday, three UGA defensive players were drafted Sunday: Irvin and cornerback Asher Allen in the third round and end Jarius Wynn in the sixth.
Allen went to the Minnesota Vikings and Wynn to the Green Bay Packers. Allen was picked seven spots ahead of Irvin.
Irvin, a Bulldogs backup in 2007 after two seasons at Georgia Military College, gained a starting job when his friend Jeff Owens suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2008 opener. Irvin started the rest of the season, establishing himself as a team leader.
“It’s been a long road,” he said Sunday, “but I’m here now, and I want to make my NFL career a great one.
“When I got to Georgia, no one really knew me. It took me working hard, Jeff being hurt and belief and faith from everybody around me.”
Atlanta-based agent Pat Dye Jr., who represents Irvin and Allen, said Irvin moved up from a fifth- or sixth-round pick by impressing teams in recent workouts and interviews.
“Of all the [clients] we had in this draft,” Dye said, “he probably did more than anyone to improve his draft stock from where he was when he signed with us.”
Allen, a two-year UGA starter, had hoped to go late in the second round but fell well into the third.
“It’s one of the most heart-pounding things,” Allen said of the draft on a conference call, “but it’s also one of the most enjoyable things. You dream of this day.”
He said he was “kind of perplexed” about not being drafted higher, but happy nonetheless.
Wynn, like Irvin, played at Georgia Military before transferring to UGA as a junior.
Although Georgia had six players picked, other draft-hopeful Bulldogs were bypassed, including linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and fullback Brannan Southerland. They likely will sign as undrafted free agents.
The Bulldogs had no room for complaint about the overall draft, though, with two players in the first dozen picks and five in the first three rounds.
“Just knowing that those guys are getting their recognition, as well as myself, it’s been a great weekend, really,” Allen said.
It was best, of course, for top pick Stafford, whose six-year contract with Detroit is worth a guaranteed $41.7 million.
“Oh, wow,” Allen said. “I hope he can throw a little bit down here to us.”
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