April 17, 2008
Georgia Tech’s Potential Draft Candidates
Travis Bell, PK
Durant Brooks, P
Tashard Choice, RB
Mike Cox, FB
Gary Guyton, LB
Adamm Oliver, DE
Darrell Robertson, DE
Kevin Tuminello, OL
Philip Wheeler, LB
Quick Overview
While no former Yellow Jackets are expected to go in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, it’s quite possible that several could go in the mid- to late rounds. Running back Tashard Choice and linebacker Philip Wheeler have received most of Tech’s pre-draft publicity, but it was linebacker Gary Guyton who likely raised his stock the most since the end of the season. Durant Brooks, the 2007 Ray Guy Award winner, could be the first punter taken in the draft. Former Yellow Jacket head coach Chan Gailey is now the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have not drafted a Georgia Tech player since 1983.
Recent Draft History
Last year two Yellow Jackets — Calvin Johnson (1st round to Detroit) and Mansfield Wrotto (4th round to Seattle) — were taken in the draft. Three players — Gerris Wilkinson, P.J. Daniels and Dawan Landry — were selected in 2006. No players were taken in the 2005 draft.
Multiple Draft Picks
The last time more than three Tech players were taken in the draft came in 2004 when five players were selected. Five players were also taken in 1992. The most Yellow Jackets taken in one draft was 10 in 1954, but that included seven players taken in round 13 or later. In the more modern era, seven were drafted in 1979, paced by two first-round picks — Eddie Lee Ivery and Kent Hill.
Miscellaneous
There were 19 former Tech players on NFL rosters at the close of the 2007 season including three players on the World Champion New York Giants… Which franchises draft former Yellow Jackets the most frequently? Since 2000 it’s been Baltimore and Buffalo with two selections each… since 1990 it’s been Detroit, Baltimore and Tampa Bay with three each… the last time the Atlanta Falcons drafted a Tech player was Keith Brooking in 1998… before Brooking, the last Jacket to be drafted by Atlanta was Ken Whisenhunt in 1985… since 1975 only two franchises — Carolina and the Oakland Raiders — have not selected a former Yellow Jacket in the draft… Over the past two seasons, the ACC has had more players chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft than any other conference with 18 including a total 12 chosen in the 2006 Draft–a record for any Conference… Over the past two seasons, the ACC has had more players chosen in the NFL draft–82 total draftees–than any other conference in the country.
