July 29, 2004
ATLANTA–With National Football League training camps getting underway this week, 23 former Yellow Jackets are in camp with NFL teams, including seven members of last year’s Georgia Tech team.
Tech had five players selected in the 2004 NFL draft, its most since 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.
Also drafted last spring and now in camp were linebacker Keyaron Fox (Kansas City Chiefs, 3rd round), tackle Nat Dorsey (Minnesota Vikings, 4th round) and wide receiver Jonathan Smith (BuffaloBills, 7th round), as well as defensive end Tony Hargrove (St. Louis Rams, 3rd round), a member of the 2002 team. Three players from last season signed free agent contracts in cornerback Jonathan Cox (San Diego Chargers), tight end John Paul Foschi (New York Jets), and center Hugh Reilly (Tennessee Titans).
Among Tech’s NFL veteran players the Pro Bowl linebacker Brooking of the Atlanta Falcons, where his new teammate is wide receiver Dez White. The former Chicago Bear signed with the Falcons in the offseason.
Tech’s longest-tenured veteran is defensive end Marco Coleman, who enters his 13th NFL season after signing with the Denver Broncos. The former first-round draft pick has also played for San Diego, Miami, Washington, with whom he made the Pro Bowl, Jacksonville and Philadelphia.
Coleman is one of three former Jackets playing with the Broncos, along with defensive backs Nick Ferguson and Chris Young.
The Minnesota Vikings also boast three former Yellow Jackets in wide receiver Kelly Campbell and linebacker Nick Rogers in addition to Dorsey.
Two former Tech players are in Kansas City in Fox and punter Rodney Williams.
Former Tech quarterback and Heisman Trophy runner-up Joe Hamilton signed with Indianapolis after a standout season in the Arena Football League.
Tight end Will Heller is with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after making the team as an undrafted free agent last year.
Tony Hollings is also entering his second year, after a solid rookie season with the Houston Texans.
Safety Travares Tillman returns to Carolina after playing for the Panthers’ Super Bowl team last season.
Running back Joe Burns returns for his third season with the Buffalo Bills. Wide receiver Charlie Rogers is with Miami and defensive end Felipe Claybrooks is in Cleveland. That makes 10 NFL players from Tech’s 1998 squad, which went 10-2 and won the Gator Bowl.
Former Yellow Jackets Dorsey Levens and Lethon Flowers are still active but currently unsigned.
TECH'S ACTIVE NFL VETERANSPlayer NFL Yr. Current TeamKeith Brooking 7th Atlanta FalconsJoe Burns 3rd Buffalo BillsKelly Campbell 3rd Minnesota VikingsFelipe Claybrooks 3rd Cleveland BrownsMarco Coleman 13th Denver BroncosNick Ferguson 9th Denver BroncosLethon Flowers 10th UnsignedJoe Hamilton 4th Indianapolis ColtsWill Heller 2nd Tampa Bay BuccaneersTony Hollings 2nd Houston TexansDorsey Levens 11th UnsignedCharlie Rogers 6th Miami DolphinsNick Rogers 3rd Minnesota VikingsTravares Tillman 5th Carolina PanthersDez White 5th Atlanta FalconsRodney Williams 3rd Kansas City ChiefsChris Young 3rd Denver Broncos
2004 DRAFT PICKS & FREE AGENTS Jonathan Cox (FA) San Diego Chargers Nat Dorsey Minnesota Vikings John Paul Foschi (FA) New York Jets Keyaron Fox Kansas City Chiefs Tony Hargrove St. Louis Rams Hugh Reilly (FA) Tennessee Titans Daryl Smith Jacksonville Jaguars Jonathan Smith Buffalo Bills
