April 25, 2004
Five former Georgia Tech football standouts have been selected in the 2004 National Football League Draft, the highest number of Yellow Jackets drafted in one year since 1992, when the draft lasted 12 rounds.
Leading the way for Tech was linebacker Daryl Smith, who was selected in the second round with the 39th overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith, an honorable mention all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, is the highest Yellow Jacket draft pick since Keith Brooking was taken in the first round (12th pick) by the Atlanta Falcons. Other recent Yellow Jackets drafted in the first three rounds in recent years include Travares Tillman, who was a second-round
Former Yellow Jacket defensive end Tony Hargrove, who did not play in 2003, was taken in the third round with the 91st pick by the St. Louis Rams.
Just two picks later, the Kansas City Chiefs used the 93rd pick to select linebacker Keyaron Fox, Tech’s leading tackler last fall and a first-team all-ACC honoree.
In the fourth round, the Minnesota Vikings, already home to former Yellow Jackets Nick Rogers and Kelly Campbell, drafted offensive tackle Nat Dorsey with the 115th overall pick.
Wideout Jonathan Smith, the second-leading receiver in Georgia Tech history, was taken in the seventh round with the 214th pick by the Buffalo Bills, a frequent destination for former Yellow Jackets in recent years, including current Bill Joe Burns (1998-01).
All-ACC center Hugh Reilly has signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans, while tight end John Paul Foschi agreed to terms with the New York Jets.
Daryl Smith, an honorable mention all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, is the highest Yellow Jacket draft pick since Keith Brooking was taken in the first round (12th pick) by the Atlanta Falcons. Other Yellow Jackets drafted in the first three rounds in recent years include Travares Tillman, who was a second-round selection (58th pick) by Buffalo in 2000 and played in the Super Bowl last season with the Carolina Panthers, and Dez White, the Chicago Bears’ third-round pick in 2000 who recently signed a free agent contract with the Falcons.
In addition, former Yellow Jacket quarterback Andy Hall, who transferred from Tech and quarterbacked NCAA I-AA powerhouse Delaware the last two years, was drafted in the sixth round by Philadelphia.
In other news involving former Tech players, wide receiver Kerry Watkins (1999-02) will play this season with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, and quarterback Joe Hamilton continues to stand out with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League.
Tech in the 2004 NFL DraftDaryl Smith, LB - Jacksonville Jaguars, 2-39Tony Hargrove, DE - St. Louis Rams, 3-91Keyaron Fox, LB - Kansas City Chiefs, 3-93Nat Dorsey, OT - Minnesota Vikings, 4-115Jonathan Smith, WR - Buffalo Bills, 7-214
2004 NFL Free Agents Hugh Reilly, C, Tennessee Titans John Paul Foschi, TE, New York Jets
Tech’s Active NFL Veterans Keith Brooking, LB, Atlanta Falcons Joe Burns, RB, Buffalo Bills Kelly Campbell, WR, Minnesota Vikings Felipe Claybrooks, DE, Cleveland Browns Marco Coleman, DE, Denver Broncos Nick Ferguson, DB, Denver Broncos Will Heller, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tony Hollings, RB, Houston Texans Dorsey Levens, RB, NY Giants in 2003, currently unsigned Charlie Rogers, WR, Miami Dolphins Nick Rogers, LB, Minnesota Vikings Travares Tillman, DB, Carolina Panthers Dez White, WR, Atlanta Falcons Chris Young, DB, Denver Broncos
