North Carolina State University Athletics
Jets Draft Maddox; Thomas to Jacksonville
4/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 24, 2005
When he begins his NFL career, NC State safety Andre Maddox will be joining a former teammate in the `Big Apple.' A three-year starter at `rover' for the Wolfpack, the Miami native was a fifth round (161st overall) selection of the New York Jets, the team that picked former Pack receiver Jerricho Cotchery last season. Also on the second day of the draft, Maddox's high school teammate, linebacker Pat Thomas, was taken in the sixth round by Jacksonville.
"I am so happy to be a Jet," Maddox said. "I never thought that I would be Jerricho Cotchery's teammate again, but that is great. The last time I was in North Carolina, he came to my house for a party and he was the last one to leave because I was asking him all kinds of questions about playing in the NFL. Herman Edwards is one of my favorite coaches and I'm really looking forward to playing for him. I'm also looking forward to being a Jet when we come to play at Miami so my family can see me play."
Hampered by hamstring injuries as a senior, Maddox was named first-team All-ACC after making 145 tackles during his junior campaign.
Of all the Wolfpack players available for this year's draft, Maddox may have improved his stock the most by putting together an impressive workout for coaches and general managers in the Indianapolis combine. Among other things, he opened some eyes by running below 4.5 seconds in the 40.
Like Maddox, Thomas played his high school football at Miami's Killian High School. A three-year starter at NC State, the 6-2, 230 pound linebacker was the Pack's second leading tackler last season with 61.
