North Carolina State University Athletics
Making a Mark in the Draft
4/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 22, 2004
NFL.com: Rivers a Special Delivery
Draft Profiles For:
Philip Rivers
Sean Locklear
Jerricho Cotchery
Danny Young
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - By the end of this weekend, as many as four players from NC State could hear their names called during the National Football League Draft. Not overwhelmed by that figure? Well, perhaps it doesn't sound all that awe-inspiring in a year when it's being speculated that up to 13 players from Miami could be selected, but there have actually been very few occasions when as many as four Wolfpack players have been chosen in the draft. In fact, only six times since 1937 have as many as four players from NC State gone in the same draft.
The Pack's most productive draft year was in 1991 when five players - safety Jesse Campbell, defensive tackle Mike Jones, defensive back Joe Johnson, defensive back Fernandus Vinson and defensive tackle Elijah Austin - were taken in a draft that lasted for 12 rounds.
Now the process lasts only seven rounds, a fact that skews the historical perspective somewhat.
The bottom line is that quarterback Philip Rivers, guard Sean Locklear and wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery are sure-fire draft picks, while long snapper Danny Young also has a better than even chance to also etch his name as a fourth selection from NC State.
Rivers is, of course, the marquee man representing the Wolfpack in the draft. And although he finished his career as the No. 2 passer in NCAA history, Rivers still had to prove himself after his senior season was over. But thanks to a series of standout performances in the Senior Bowl and during pre-draft workouts, his stock has escalated as fast as any other player available for this year's draft.
Young has mastered a skill that is often overlooked by college players who are usually more concerned about being on the field at the more glamorous full-time positions. But for four years straight, every time NC State needed a clutch, pressure packed snap on a field goal, extra point or punt, Young delivered.
And while he may not have his jersey retired or have a bobble-head doll that matches his likeness, Young, like Rivers, played in 51 consecutive games for the Wolfpack. And his accuracy and velocity on long snaps could conceivably land him a long and lucrative career in the NFL.
The path to NFL prospect status for Locklear has been littered with all kinds of twists and turns. Although basketball was his first love, the Lumberton native turned to football when it became obvious that his physical stature would better lend itself to success on the gridiron. A defensive lineman at the beginning of his college career, Locklear at first resisted when asked to move over to the offensive side of the ball in the spring of 2001. As it turns out, the conversion may have been the best thing that could have possibly happened to him. Versatile, smart and athletic, the 6-5, 296-pound Locklear is now ranked as one of the top guards available in this year's draft.
While Rivers was becoming the ACC's all-time leader in passing and total offense, the steady man on the other end of many of his record-shattering throws was Cotchery, who is also expected to go in the third or fourth round this weekend. Underestimated throughout his football career, the steady Alabama native lives by one motto: work hard and keep quiet. Cotchery, who finished his career as NC State's second leading receiver behind only Torry Holt, would prefer that his play on the field do all the talking. While not possessing blinding speed, Cotchery is an excellent route runner who is perfectly willing take make the difficult catch in traffic.
In many cases during their time together, Rivers so trusted Cotchery to get to the ball that he often would just fling it in No. 82's general direction, knowing that he would usually find a way to wrestle the ball away from a defender.
The 2004 NFL Draft begins Saturday at 12 noon. TV coverage will be provided by ESPN and ESPN2.
Saturday, April 24
Noon to 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
7 to 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Sunday, April 25
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., ESPN
1 p.m. to 6 p.m., ESPN2
