Years of hard work and sacrifice resulted in the ultimate payoff for three former Virginia Tech football players over the weekend, as they heard their names called at the 2007 NFL Draft.
Safety Aaron Rouse, wide receiver David Clowney, and tackle Brandon Frye were all selected in the seven-round draft. The Green Bay Packers scooped up a pair of Hokies with their selections of Rouse and Clowney, and Frye will join the Houston Texans.
Rouse was the first Hokie selected, going in the third round with the 89th overall pick. Clowney and Frye were selected in the fifth round, just six picks apart at 157th and 163rd overall, respectively.
Rouse, who ranked third for the Hokies in tackles in 2006, has the capability to play either safety or linebacker at the professional level. He is currently listed as a safety on the Packers’ depth chart, but Rouse is familiar with the linebacker position since he began his Tech career as an outside linebacker.
Clowney will provide depth at receiver for the Packers and could be a factor on special teams. The wideout, who was also a sprinter for the Hokies, may even get a look in training camp as a kick returner thanks to his speed.
Frye will join a Texans offensive line that has a reputation of being one of the weaker units in the league, evidenced by the fact that former Houston quarterback David Carr spent more time on the ground than almost any other playcaller in the league. Frye most likely won’t see any immediate time, but with some development, he could be a solid depth lineman.
In addition to the three Hokies drafted, three others were offered free agent deals immediately following the conclusion of the draft.
Fullback Jesse Allen signed with the New York Jets, kicker Brandon Pace signed with the Denver Broncos, and the Atlanta Falcons inked defensive end Noland Burchette.
Three remaining Hokies — punter Nic Schmitt, linebacker Brenden Hill, and long snapper Nick Leeson — have not yet been signed by an NFL team and remain in the free agent pool.
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In other draft news, the surprise of the NFL Draft was Brady Quinn’s freefall to 22nd overall, and the fact that the Miami Dolphins passed on him with the ninth pick to draft Ted Ginn, Jr. The look on Quinn’s face when Miami selected Ginn said it all, and Quinn even muttered, “Wow, that’s surprising.” Well said, Brady.
Ted Ginn, Jr. is a dynamic threat at receiver and as a kick returner, but injury concerns — he currently has a sprained left foot that may force him to miss training camp — and Miami’s lack of any kind of a quarterback make the Ginn selection a questionable one.
Regardless, the Cleveland Browns did a nice job of trading to get the quarterback they needed in Quinn after selecting offensive tackle Joe Thomas with the third overall pick.
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That’s a wrap. The end of the NFL Draft and draft coverage has arrived after weeks of over-analysis and futile predictions, and now everyone can spend their time usefully and watch the drama unfolding in the Stanley Cup Playoffs — well, at least I will.
