MEAC gets four of six in NFL Draft
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
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The four MEAC players were the first off the boards with two, Howard cornerback Ronald Bartell, Jr., and Bethune-Cookman cornerback Nick Collins, going back-to-back in the second round on Saturday's first day when the first three rounds were selected. Bartell was selected with the 18th pick of the round, 50th overall, by the St. Louis Rams. Collins came in next to the Green Bay Packers.
Speedy Hampton wide receiver/kick returner Jerome Mathis, who many thought would be the first off the boards following head-turning performances in postseason workouts, lasted until the 13th pick of Sunday's fourth round, going to the Houston Texans with the 114th overall choice. North Carolina A&T center Junius Coston completed the MEAC run when he was chosen with the seventh pick of the fifth round, 143rd overall, by the Packers.
The four MEAC picks were the highest for any NCAA Div. I-AA league in the draft. The MEAC also became the first I-AA conference to have four players drafted in the first five rounds since the SWAC had five picks in five rounds in 2000.
The non-MEAC players both were chosen in the seventh and final round.
Grambling State linebacker Kenneth Pettway was the only Southwestern Athletic Conference player drafted, going to the Texans with the 13th pick. Tuskegee wide receiver Harry Williams then became the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's lone selection when he was taken by the New York Jets with the 26th selection of the round.
The low number of selectees follows a trend that has seen the number of black college draftees stay below double-figures now for five straight years. This lull follows a six-year stretch where black colleges reached double figures in four of six years. The last time the number rose to double figures was in 2000 when 13 went off the board led by first round picks Sylvester Morris and Rashard Anderson of Jackson State.
Bartell, a 6-1, 208 corner who transferred to Howard from Central Michigan, ran an impressive 4.37-second 40-yard dash time at the Combine and also impressed with his score on the Wonderlic intelligence test. That apparently vaulted the Detroit native ahead of Mathis and Collins, at least in the eyes of the Rams' brass.
"Our defensive staff unanimously is very strong in its opinion about Ron and how he fits into our defense, whether it's at corner or free safety," said Rams head coach Mike Martz, who said Bartell will begin at corner. "Coming from Howard, there's going to be quite a transition for him. But everything is there, in terms of having terrific potential."
Collins was also impressive at the Combine, running a 4.39-second 40 time. That speed, along with his size (5-11, 206), and his ability to play either cornerback or safety caught the attention of the Packers, who say they will first work him in as a safety.
"He could actually play corner," said Packers head coach Mike Sherman. "He could play in the dime package. He has excellent skills in coverage. What separates him from the other safeties is he's also packed pretty solid and lays a heavy punch on the offender."
Speed was the key factor that made Mathis such an intriguing pick. The former Hampton track star was the fastest player at the Combine in Indianapolis and performed well, scoring two touchdowns, in the postseason Gridiron Classic. After teams passed on him on day one of the Draft, Houston GM Charley Casserly said the Texans had several offers to trade for him on day two. They didn't.
"This guy is a threat any time he touches the ball," said Texans head coach Dom Capers. "I think he can help us in multiple situations, as a receiver, return specialist and he has the type of toughness that he can go out there on special teams and run down the field as a gunner. We will be excited about seeing him on the field and we feel that he would be a good addition to our team."
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Coston, who played center at A&T, will be tried at left guard by the Packers, who have all-Pro Mike Flanagan at the center position. The Packers feel the athleticism, speed and agility of the 6-3, 310 pounder who ran a 5.33-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, should have projected him better than a fifth round pick. Those skills will allow him to play almost anywhere on the offensive line.
"He's certainly athletic and talented enough to do it," said Packers' scout Brian Gutekunst.
Pettway, who played both defensive end and linebacker at Grambling, may see action in both spots for the Texans. They like his pass rushing ability though they feel he me a little undersized (6-4, 255) to play full time at defensive end.
Williams, the only player of the six not invited to the Combine, impressed Jets' Director of College Scouting, Jesse Kaye, with his potential as a home-run threat. Williams, who won the 100 meters and finished second in the 200 meters at last year's SIAC outdoor track championships, ran a 4.48 40 time for scouts. He finished his four-year Tuskegee career averaging 19.2 yards per catch.
"It doesn't need to be said, but we'll state the obvious anyway," said Kaye, of the slender (6-3, 180) burner."The guy can get downfield. He's a legitimate deep threat."
© 2005 Azeez Communications, Inc.