North Carolina State University Athletics
TIM PEELER: Three Pack Players Taken in 2007 NFL Draft
4/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Updated: 4/29/2007, 2:05 p.m.
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH The wait was excruciating for Tank Tyler, but it was better than the alternative: not hearing his name called at all on the first day of the 2007 NFL Draft.
NC State’s first-team All-ACC defensive tackle waited most of Saturday to hear his name called in the 2007 NFL Draft, and he was finally rewarded when the Kansas City Chiefs made him the 19th pick of the third round and the 82nd pick overall.“It was a long, dry wait,” said the native of Fayetteville, N.C. “I am ready to go play and show them what the Wolfpack is all about. I was so glad when my name was called; I didn’t want to have to wait until tomorrow for that to happen.”
Two of Tyler's teammates were taken on the second day, but they didn't have to wait nearly as long to hear their names called once things got started Sunday mornning. Cornerback A.J. Davis was sixth pick of the day, going to the Detroit Lions as the draft's 105th pick.
Offensive lineman Leroy Harris' name was called 10 picks after Davis, going to the Tennessee Titans as the draft's 115th overall selection.
With Tyler’s selection, NC State has now had a player taken on the draft’s first day in eight of the last nine drafts. Last year, three Wolfpack players were taken in the first round: defensive ends Mario Williams and Manny Lawson and tackle John McCargo.Tyler, who played in all 11 games as a freshman with the Wolfpack in 2003, made 30 starts on the defensive front over the last three seasons. In 2006, he had 49 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble.
Tyler said he was familiar with Chiefs’ head coach Herm Edwards and the team’s defensive scheme.“I think Kansas City is a really good team,” Tyler said. “I am looking forward for them to show me what I need to learn, so I can get started on it. Getting ready for the draft has been a long process, but took it as another off-season and worked as hard as I could. I knew what I was all about. Whatever happened, I was prepared for.
“They play basically the same defense we did at NC State, a 4-3 scheme. I am ready to go show what I am about and what I can do.”
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
