The Big East and the first round: A history

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, April 25, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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The Big East, formed in 1991, has had an up-and-down history in the first round of the NFL draft.

In 1993, 1994 and 2006, the conference had no one chosen in the glamour round. In 2002 and 2004, however, eight Big East players were marquee picks.

Many of these athletes became stars, players like Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Edgerrin James, Warren Sapp, Marvin Harrison, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

Then there were the busts, perhaps most notably Virginia Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, chosen by the San Francisco 49ers in 1997. Not only didn't he make 49er fans forget about Joe Montana, but he quickly made them forget about Jim Druckenmiller.

Others whose names have faded from memory include Miami wide receiver Kalil Green (chosen 15th by the Miami Dolphins in 1997), Miami DE Kenny Holmes (an 18th overall pick by Tennessee the same year), DT Damione Lewis of Miami and Boston College running back William Green, who proved a great disappointment for the Cleveland Browns.

For others, such as West Virginia DB Adam "Pacman" Jones (we won't go there), DT Amobi Okoye of Louisville and Virginia Tech running back Kevin Jones, the jury is still out.

From 1991-2005, the Big East included Syracuse, Miami, Virginia Tech, Boston College, West Virginia, Rutgers, Temple and Pittsburgh. Connecticut joined in 2004 and Tech, Miami, Temple and Boston College left in 2005, to be replaced by Louisville, South Florida and Cincinnati.

Given those alignments, here is an admittedly subjective "fantasy draft" drawn from all the Big East first-rounders.

1. Donovan McNabb, QB, Syracuse, second pick, Philadelphia Eagles, 1999.
2. Warren Sapp, DT, Miami, 12th pick, Tampa Bay, 1995.
3. Ray Lewis, LB, Miami, 26th pick, Baltimore Ravens, 1996.
4. Marvin Harrison, WR, Syracuse, 19th pick, Indianapolis Colts, 1996.
5. Edgerrin James, RB, Miami, fourth pick, Indianapolis Colts, 1999.
6. Michael Vick, Virginia Tech, QB, first pick, Atlanta Falcons, 2001.
7. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pitt, third pick, Arizona Cardinals, 2004.
8. Ed Reed, DB, Miami, 24th pick, Baltimore Ravens, 2002.
9. Dwight Freeney, DE, Syracuse, 11th pick, Indianapolis Colts, 2002.
10. Sean Gilbert, DT, Pitt, 11th pick, Los Angeles Rams, 1992.
11. Reggie Wayne, WR, Miami, 30th pick, Indianapolis Colts, 2001.
12. Jeremy Shockey, TE, Miami, 14th pick, New York Giants, 2002.
13. Keith Bulluck, LB, Syracuse. 30th pick, Tennesee Titans, 2000.
14. Andre Johnson, WR, Miami, third pick, Houston Texans, 2003.
15. Sean Taylor, DB, Miami, fifth pick, Washington Redskins, 2004.
16. Ruben Brown, OG, Pitt, 14th pick, Buffalo Bills, 1995.
17. Dan Morgan, LB, Miami, 11th pick, Carolina Panthers, 2001.
18. Santana Moss, WR, Miami, 16th pick, New York Jets, 2001.
19. Vince Wilfork, NT, Miami, 21st pick, New England, 2004.
20. DeAngelo Hall, DB, Virginia Tech, eighth pick, Atlanta Falcons, 2004.
21. D.J. Williams, LB, Miami, 17th pick, Denver Broncos, 2004.
22. Kellen Winslow, Jr., TE, Miami, sixth pick, Cleveland Browns, 2004.
23. Chris Hovan, DT, Boston College, 25th pick, Minnesota Vikings, 2000.
24. Pete Kendall, OL, Boston College, 21st pick, Seattle Seahawks, 1996.
25. Duane Starks, DB, Miami, 10th pick, Baltimore Ravens, 1998.
26. Bubba Franks, TE, Miami, 14th pick, Green Bay Packers, 2000.
27. Leon Searcy, OT, Miami, 11th pick, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1992.
28. Donovin Darius, DB, Syracuse, 25th pick, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1998.
29. Damien Woody, C, Boston College, 17th pick, New England, 1999.
30. Anthony Becht, TE, West Virginia. 27th pick, New York Jets, 2000.
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