May 2, 2015
CHICAGO — The Georgia Tech trio of Shaquille Mason, DeAndre Smelter and Darren Waller were among the 157 players selected Saturday on the third and final day of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Mason (131st overall) and Smelter (132nd overall) were taken with back-to-back selections in the fourth round by the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers, respectively. Waller followed two rounds later as he was selected 204th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round.
When Mason’s name was called, he became the first Yellow Jacket selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft since Tashard Choice in 2008 (by the Dallas Cowboys). He was also the first Georgia Tech offensive lineman to be drafted since Andrew Gardner in 2009 (6th round, Miami Dolphins).
Smelter and Waller are the first Georgia Tech receivers to be drafted since Stephen Hill in 2012 (2nd round, New York Jets). Smelter is also the first Tech player to be drafted by the 49ers since Tom Covington in 1992.
The @Patriots have selected @ShaqDiesel_70 in the 4th round of #NFLDraft! #ProJackets pic.twitter.com/OA1MLDa9PA
— Ga Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) May 2, 2015
A first-team All-American at right guard, Mason started all 14 games during Tech’s 2014 Capital One Orange Bowl championship season. He anchored an offensive line that blocked for Tech’s Orange Bowl-record 452 rushing yards vs. Mississippi State and was part of the O-Line that allowed just 0.79 sacks per game (1st in ACC, 2nd nationally). A season ago, Georgia Tech led the nation in rushing offense, posting school-record marks in rushing yards (4,789) and rushing yards per game (342.1).
“Big receiver with physicality to match.” #49ersDraft MORE: http://t.co/3VEUNFtYD2 pic.twitter.com/68eYsGELWL
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 2, 2015
Smelter, a second-team All-ACC receiver, started in Georgia Tech’s first 12 games in 2014 before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Georgia. He led the Yellow Jackets in receptions (35), receiving yards (715) and receiving touchdowns (7). He averaged 20.4 yards per reception.
The @Ravens have selected WR Darren Waller in the #NFLDraft 6th round! #ProJackets pic.twitter.com/x8u3M0l8N0
— Ga Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) May 2, 2015
Waller played in 12 games, making eight starts in 2014. He finished second on the team to only Smelter in receptions (26), receiving yards (442) and receiving touchdowns (6). Following Smelter’s injury at Georgia, he caught five passes for 73 yards vs. Florida State and concluded his career with five catches for 114 yards in the Orange Bowl.
Both Smelter and Waller graduated from Georgia Tech in December 2014.
WOW! New @Ravens WR Darren Waller is the great grandson of legendary jazz musician Fats Waller. (pic via Wikipedia) pic.twitter.com/6bBPbe9oCb
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 2, 2015
Following the draft, a quartet of Yellow Jackets quickly signed free agent contracts — running back Synjyn Days (Dallas Cowboys), safety Isaiah Johnson (Detroit Lions), running back Zach Laskey (St. Louis Rams) and linebacker Quayshawn Nealy (Seattle Seahawks). All four have their Georgia Tech degrees after Laskey received his diploma at Saturday’s commencement.
No doubt that @sdays10, @ZaySchemin, @theZLazer37 & @Q_nealy54 will compete every single day!! #BelieveIt https://t.co/ot4d3riRmV
— Paul Johnson (@GTPaulJohnson) May 3, 2015
In March, the Indianapolis Colts signed men’s basketball center Demarco Cox to a free agent contract with the intent of converting the 6-foot-8, 294-pounder into an offensive tackle.
Georgia Tech opens the 2015 season on Thursday, Sept. 3, when the Yellow Jackets host Alcorn State at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets in person at the Georgia Tech Ticket Office (M-F 9 a.m.-5 p.m.), by phone at 888-TECH-TIX, or online at togetherweswarm.com. Season tickets for Tech’s seven-game home schedule start at just $245 — a value of $35 per game. Great lower-level seats are available from $350. There is no per-game ticket or Tech Fund price increase in 2015. The only difference is the addition of a seventh home game (Georgia).
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GeorgiaTechFB), Facebook (facebook.com/GTAthletics), and Instagram (@GTAthletics) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
GEORGIA TECH 2015 NFL DRAFT SELECTIONS
4th Round (131st overall) — Shaquille Mason, C, New England Patriots
4th Round (132nd overall) — DeAndre Smelter, WR, San Francisco 49ers
6th Round (204th overall) — Darren Waller, WR, Baltimore Ravens
