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Three Mountaineers may be picked
NFL Draft analysts say Jackson, Lynch, Brown have attracted some interest
AP File Photo
ASU’s Dexter Jackson became well known with a dynamic game in a win over Michigan.
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Published: April 19, 2008
Appalachian State has won an unprecedented three straight national titles in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision. It might also have three players selected in the NFL Draft for the first time.
Wide receiver Dexter Jackson and safety Corey Lynch are expected to be chosen during the two-day draft next weekend, and offensive lineman Kerry Brown is considered a potential late-round pick by some analysts.
The Mountaineers have had two players chosen in the draft twice. In 1992, defensive back Gary Dandridge was selected in the fifth round, and defensive tackle Mike Frier was taken in the seventh round. In 1990, offensive tackle Derrick Graham went in the fifth round, and defensive back Keith Collins went in the seventh.
Linebacker Dino Hackett, selected by the Kansas City Chiefs as the 35th pick in 1986, is Appalachian's highest draft choice.
Jackson, whose value as an NFL prospect has risen steadily since he outran Michigan's secondary on a long pass play last September and landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated after Appalachian's monumental upset, could go in the second round, but most projections have him as a third-round pick.
Before last season began, Jackson wasn't sure he'd even be drafted, and he certainly didn't envision being taken in the top half of the draft.
"I didn't really expect this," said the speedy Jackson, a 5-10, 182-pound receiver who caught 17 touchdown passes at Appalachian and could double as a kick returner in the NFL. "I feel like my postseason success helped and opened some eyes, being on a big stage and in a controlled environment. I think the East-West Shrine game kick-started it and then the combine really changed a lot of things."
Jackson was among the fastest at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, running 40 yards in 4.33 seconds. He recently visited Tampa Bay and Atlanta for interviews and said that Philadelphia, Carolina and Kansas City are among the teams that have expressed the most interest.
Lynch, a 6-0, 205-pound free safety who could possibly play either free or strong safety in the NFL, has seen his stock rise considerably since a pro-day showing at Appalachian on March 25.
Lynch was known as a playmaker -- having intercepted 24 passes and blocked six kicks at Appalachian -- but he opened the eyes of scouts with impressive performances in various drills during pro day. Lynch ran 4.58 seconds in the 40 and gained the most notice with a 3.99-second time in the 20-yard shuttle drill that was faster than any 20-shuttle time at the combine. He also ranked in the top 10 among all prospects in a cone drill.
"I think people were thinking I'd run a 4.8 in the 40," Lynch said. "I ran a 4.53, and the shuttle drill turned out to be one of the best in the country. The times didn't surprise me. I run that all the time. I actually ran those (on pro day) a little worse than I normally do."
Lynch was in New York earlier this week visiting the Giants and was to go from there to talk with Cincinnati and then possibly to Oakland. He also has met with Chicago and Baltimore.
Lynch is hoping he won't slip to the later rounds but said that the goal all along has been just to be drafted.
"I'm definitely encouraged," Lynch said.
Brown, a 6-6, 305-pound offensive lineman, was a four-year starter for the Mountaineers. Draft analysts expect that his size will give Brown a shot with an NFL team at least as a free agent. Some analysts expect that Brown could be picked in the seventh and final round.
"I think it says a lot about this team that we could have three players drafted," Jackson said. "We got a lot more exposure because of beating Michigan and winning the national championship again, and that helped me, Corey and Kerry get more attention. I'm hoping we all get drafted."
■ Tommy Bowman can be reached at 727-7320 or at tbowman@wsjournal.com
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