April 28, 2007
ATLANTA–Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson was selected by the Detroit Lions as the second overall pick in the 2007 National Football League draft, becoming the highest selection in Yellow Jacket history.
Johnson is the ninth first-round pick in Georgia Tech history but the first since linebacker Keith Brooking was selected with the 12th pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 1998. Before Johnson, the highest selection from Tech was running back Eddie Prokop, who was taken fourth by the Boston Patriots in 1945.
The 2006 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top receiver, Johnson was a two-time first-team all-America for the Yellow Jackets, including consensus first-team accolades last fall.
The leading receiver in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the 2006 ACC Player of the Year set Tech season records with 1,202 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns on 78 receptions; his 15 TD catches ranked second in the nation. For his three-year career, he set school records with 2,927 yards receiving and 28 touchdown catches while ranking second with 178 career receptions.
On Day Two of the NFL Draft, offensive lineman Mansfield Wrotto was selected in the fourth round (124th overall pick) by the Seattle Seahawks.
Wrotto was a four-year starter for the Yellow Jackets but played just one season at offensive tackle following three years at defensive tackle. He is projected to play offensive guard in the NFL.
FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS FROM GEORGIA TECH2007 Calvin Johnson, 1-2, Detroit Lions1998 Keith Brooking, 1-12, Atlanta Falcons1992 Marco Coleman, 1-12, Miami Dolphins1979 Eddie Lee Ivery, 1-15, Green Bay Packers1979 Kent Hill, 1-26, Los Angeles Rams1964 Ted Davis, 1-8, San Diego Chargers1963 Rufus Guthrie, 1-10, Los Angeles Rams1955 Larry Morris, 1-6, Los Angeles Rams1945 Eddie Prokop, 1-4, Boston Patriots
