Paul Pasqualoni
Countdown to Kickoff: Orange in the NFL Draft
8/21/2004 10:22:58 AM | Football
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison was the first Pasqualoni player to be selected in the first round. Harrison owned the SU records for most receiving yards in a season (1,131) and career (2,278). With the Indianapolis Colts, Harrison has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times. He owns the NFL record for most receptions in a season (143).
In 1998, two SU standouts were taken in the first round – safeties Tebucky Jones and Donovin Darius. Jones was selected by the New England Patriots with the 22nd overall pick and Darius was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 25th selection. Jones helped lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl title in 2002. Darius was selected to the All-Rookie Team in 1998 and helped lead the Jaguars to an AFC Championship game.
Donovan McNabb was the second overall selection of the 1999 NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback is the highest pick under Pasqualoni’s watch. The four-time Pro Bowl selection was named NFC Player of the Year in 2000 and he has led the Eagles to three straight NFC Championship games.
In 2000 Keith Bulluck was a first round selection by the Tennessee Titans. Bulluck, who was the 30th overall pick, recorded 137 tackles last season. He is a two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro honoree.
New York Giants cornerback Will Allen was the 22nd overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft. He has led the Giants in interceptions two of his three seasons.
Dwight Freeney’s selection in the 2002 draft made it the fifth straight year an SU player was taken in the first round. The Indianapolis Colts chose him with the 11th overall pick. He has recorded 24 sacks and forced 13 fumbles in his two seasons. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2002 and the Pro Bowl in 2003.
SU’s second-round selections during Pasqualoni’s tenure include linebacker Kevin Mitchell (San Francisco, 1994), cornerback Kevin Abrams (Detroit, 1997), receiver Kevin Johnson (Cleveland, 1999), and fullback Rob Konrad (Miami, 1999).
Syracuse had three student-athletes selected in the 2004 Draft. Receiver Johnnie Morant was taken in the fifth round by the Oakland Raiders. Kansas City picked offensive tackle Kevin Sampson and San Francisco selected defensive tackle Christian Ferrara, both in the seventh round.
Syracuse begins the season on Sunday, September 5 at Purdue. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ABC. SU then plays at Buffalo on September 11 at 6:00 p.m. The Orange kicks off the home portion of the schedule on Saturday, September 18 against Cincinnati:00 p.m. SU will also host Rutgers (Oct. 2 at 12:00 p.m.), Florida State (Oct. 9), Connecticut (Oct. 30) and Pittsburgh (Nov. 6).
For ticket information and prices, call the Carrier Dome box office at 1-888-DOMETIX. Tickets are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), by telephone (888-DOMETIX) or on the Internet www.dometix.com
