Devlin Leads University of Delaware Football Standouts Hoping to Hear Names Called at This Weekend’s NFL Draft
April 28, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
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NEW YORK -- As many as four University of Delaware football standouts, led by All-American quarterback Pat Devlin (at right), could hear their names called this weekend when the 76th annual National Football League Draft takes place at Radio City Music Hall.
The first round of the draft will be held tonight, Apr. 28, beginning at 8 p.m. The second and third rounds are set for Friday, Apr. 29, at 6 p.m. with rounds 4-7 scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 30, beginning at 12 noon. The entire draft will be televised live on ESPN and the NFL Network. Fans can also follow the draft online at www.nfl.com.
Four Blue Hen standouts - Devlin, defensive backs Anthony Walters and Anthony Bratton, and linebacker Matt Marcorelle - have all gained the interest of NFL scouts during the last year and could be selected during the draft. All four will most certainly sign free agent contracts should they not be selected.
Delaware has had 28 players selected in the NFL Draft all-time, including five picks since 2002. Quarterback Joe Flacco, a two-year starter who has led the Baltimore Ravens to consecutive NFL playoff appearances, was the Hens’ most recent selection when he was chosen in the first round with the 18th pick overall in 2008. He was the first Delaware player to be chosen in the first round of the draft and is the only one to be selected during the first three rounds.
Since 2002, wide receiver Jamin Elliott was picked in the sixth round by Chicago in 2002, quarterback Andy Hall was selected in the sixth round by Philadelphia in 2004, defensive end Shawn Johnson was a sixth round pick by Oakland in 2004, and tight end Ben Patrick was selected in the seventh round by Arizona in 2007.
Devlin, the 2010 CAA Offensive Player of the Year who earned All-American honors while leading the Blue Hens to a 12-3 record, a share of the Colonial Athletic Association, and a berth in the NCAA Division I Football Championship game this past season, has been rated among the top draft eligible college quarterbacks in the country all season long. According to most draft analysts he is certain to be drafted, some prediciting as early as the fourth round.
Should Devlin be drafted, he would become the fifth Blue Hen quarterback to be selected, joining Flacco, Hall, fourth round pick Rich Gannon by New England in 1987, sixth round selection Scott Brunner by the New York Giants in 1980, and ninth round pick Jeff Komlo by Detroit in 1979. Delaware would also become one of only 15 college football programs - and the only school at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level - to have three quarterbacks drafted since the 2000 season.
A 6-4, 225 lb. native of Downingtown, Pa. (Downingtown East High School), Devlin completed 261 of 384 passes for 3,302 yards and 22 touchdowns with just three interceptions in 2010. He led all NCAA FCS quarterbacks with a 68 percent completion percentage and his three interceptions were the fewest of any regular in the nation at the Division I level.
Walters, a 6-1, 200 lb. native of Philadelphia, Pa. (Cardinal O’Hara HS), was a two-time All-CAA selection who earned third team Associated Press All-American in 2010 when he keyed a defense that led the NCAA in scoring defense, allowing just 11.5 points per game. He registered 75 tackles, broke up eight passes, and led the team with seven interceptions. He snared 16 interceptions during his career as a four-year starter.
Bratton, a 6-2, 205 lb. safety from Manassas, Va. (Osbourn Park HS), earned third team All-American honors by both the Associated Press and The Sports Network in 2010 when he ranked No. 2 on the team with 99 tackles while intercepting two passes and breaking up a team-high 12 passes. He had seven career interceptions.
Marcorelle, a 6-2, 250 lb. linebacker and defensive end from Fort Pierce, Fla. (John Carroll HS), played parts of six seasons for the Blue Hens due to injuries but earned second team All-CAA honors in 2010 when he recorded 83 tackles, including a team-high 10.5 tackles for loss. He played in school record 53 games and recorded 16 sacks and 40 tackles for loss to rank among Delaware’s all-time leaders.
Among the other CAA players who could be drafted this weekend include Villanova offensive lineman Ben Ijalana, Richmond defense back Justin Rogers, and Richmond defensive lineman Martin Parker.
