BCSP: The Banner of Black College Sports

NFL Draft picks hit all-time low

LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor

The number of black college picks in an NFL Draft hit an all-time low this weekend as only four players were selected out of the 246 that went off the boards in the seven-round event staged Saturday and Sunday in New York's Madison Square Garden.

Also going by the boards was a 17-year run when at least one black college player was drafted in the first three rounds.

In fact, it was not until Sunday's fifth round that Detroit selected Grambling State wide receiver Scotty Anderson with the 17th pick ­ the 148th overall.

Going shortly after Anderson with the 23rd selection of the fifth round (154th overall) to Washington was Delaware State wide receiver/tight end Darnerian McCants.

BLACK COLLEGE PLAYERS TAKEN IN

2001 NFL DRAFT

FIFTH ROUND

DETROIT
17) Scotty Anderson, WR, Grambling St.

WASHINGTON
23) Darnerian McCants, WR, Delaware St.

SIXTH ROUND

NEW ENGLAND
17) Arthur Love, TE, S. C. State

MINNESOTA
26) Carey Scott, DB, Kentucky State

BLACK COLLEGE PLAYERS TAKEN IN
DRAFTS SINCE 1991
1991 - 21 (12 rounds)
 1992 - 29
       1993 - 9 (8 rounds)
       1994 - 14 (7 rounds)
1995 - 13
1996 - 17
1997 - 13
1998 - 8
1999 - 7
2000 - 13
2001 - 4

 

South Carolina State tight end Arthur Love, who many expected to be the first black college player to go off the boards, went to New England with the 17th pick of the sixth round (180th overall). Minnesota selected the only non-receiver of the four draftees when they chose Kentucky State cornerback Carey Scott with the 26th selection (189th overall) of the same round.

The 6-2, 180-pound Anderson, who had two brothers play in the NFL, finished his career at the G-Men's all-time leader in receptions (198) and TD receptions (35). Last season he hauled in 76 catches for 1,298 yards and 11 TDs. He will compete for a back-up spot for the Lions behind starters Germaine Crowell and Johnny Morton.

McCants (6-4, 208) opened some eyes late in the draft evaluation running a sub 4.5 40 time. Half of the 36 passes he caught last year for the Hornets were for touchdowns including five each against N. C. A&T and Liberty.

"We felt like in this round, he had a tremendous up side," Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer said. McCants played tight end but was often split wide to take advantage of his height at DSU. The Redskins say he ran 4.41 in the 40 and expect him to be a deep threat and return kicks.

Love (6-3, 236) fits the mold of former New England tight end Ben Coates who the Patriots drafted out of Livingstone in the fifth round of the 1990 draft. Scott (5-11, 205) is expected to add speed to the Vikings defensive and special teams squads.

© 2001 Azeez Communications, Inc.