East Carolina University began playing organized American football in 1932 and has had many players go on to play professionally after graduating from the university.[1] The school's first-ever selection was Roger Thrift, a quarterback, who was picked by the Cleveland Browns in the 1951 NFL draft. The team's selection in the most recent draft, the 2021 NFL draft, was offensive tackle D'Ante Smith who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Every April, each National Football League (NFL) franchise seeks to add new players to its roster through a collegiate draft officially known as "the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" but more commonly known as the NFL Draft. Generally, the team with the worst record the previous year picks first, the next-worst team second, and so on. Teams that did not make the playoffs are ordered by their regular-season record with any remaining ties broken by strength of schedule. Playoff participants are sequenced after non-playoff teams, based on their round of elimination (wild card, division, conference, and Super Bowl). See NFL Draft Rules for further detail. Selections are made during seven different rounds.
Teams have the option of trading their picks to other teams in exchange for different picks, players, money, or a combination thereof. It is not uncommon for a team's actual draft pick to differ from their assigned draft pick, or for a team to have extra or no draft picks in any round due to these trades.[2] Of the players selected in each draft and throughout its history, East Carolina has had 63 players picked.[3]
The Pirates have had two first round selections in the NFL Draft; linebacker Robert Jones was picked #24 overall in the 1992 by the Dallas Cowboys,and running back Chris Johnson was also picked #24 overall in the 2008 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. The Pirates have had six players drafted by the New York Giants and five by the Dallas Cowboys and four by the Minnesota Vikings during the school's history. East Carolina most productive year was 1984, when the school had eight players selected in the draft.
Seven former Pirates: Zack Valentine (XIV), Earnest Byner (XXVI), Robert Jones (XXX), Guy Whimper (XLII), C.J. Wilson (Super Bowl XLV), Vonta Leach (Super Bowl XLVII), and John Jett (XXVII, XXX) have won Super Bowls with their respective teams.[4][5][6][7] Five Pirates also have been elected to the Pro Bowl: Tony Collins (1983), Earnest Byner, (1990) and (1991), Jeff Blake, (1995), Rod Coleman (2005) and Chris Johnson (2008), (2009) and (2010).[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]
Key
editB | Back[A 1] | K | Kicker | NT | Nose tackle |
C | Center | LB | Linebacker | FB | Fullback |
DB | Defensive back | P | Punter | HB | Halfback |
DE | Defensive end | QB | Quarterback | WR | Wide receiver |
DT | Defensive tackle | RB | Running back | G | Guard |
E | End | T | Offensive tackle | TE | Tight end |
Player selection
editDraft | Player name | Position | NFL team[19] | Notes | Ref | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Pick | Overall | |||||
1951 | 28 | 12 | 339 | Roger Thrift | QB | Browns | – | [20] |
1961 | 5 | 8 | 64 | Glenn Bass | TE | CardinalsNFL draft | – | [21] |
23 | – | – | Glenn Bass | TE | ChargersAFL draft | – | ||
1964 | 14 | 5 | 187 | Tom Michel | RB | VikingsNFL draft | – | [22] |
19 | – | – | Tom Michel | RB | RaidersAFL draft | – | ||
1969 | 17 | 1 | 417 | Wayne Lineberry | LB | Bills | – | [23] |
1973 | 16 | 1 | 391 | Tim Dameron | WR | Oilers | – | [24] |
17 | 22 | 438 | Les Strayhorn | RB | Cowboys | – | ||
1974 | 4 | 2 | 80 | Carl Summerell | QB | Giants | – | [25] |
4 | 17 | 95 | Carlester Crumpler Sr. | RB | Bills | – | ||
1977 | 6 | 27 | 166 | Reggie Pinkney | DB | Lions | – | [26] |
1978 | 6 | 28 | 166 | Harold Randolph | LB | Cowboys | – | [27] |
1979 | 2 | 28 | 56 | ^Zack Valentine | LB | Steelers | – | [28] |
6 | 21 | 158 | Eddie Hicks | RB | Giants | – | ||
1980 | 11 | 11 | 288 | Sam Harrell | RB | Vikings | – | [29] |
12 | 9 | 314 | Mike Brewington | LB | Chiefs | – | ||
1981 | 2 | 19 | 47 | Tony Collins | RB | Patriots | Pro Bowl (1983) | [30] |
1982 | 4 | 2 | 85 | George Crump | DE | Patriots | – | [31] |
4 | 7 | 90 | Tootie Robbins | T | Cardinals | – | ||
1983 | 2 | 18 | 46 | Jody Schulz | LB | Eagles | – | [32] |
1984 | 2 | 27 | 55 | Steve Hamilton | DE | Redskins | – | [33] |
4 | 27 | 111 | Terry Long | G | Steelers | – | ||
5 | 3 | 115 | Clint Harris | DB | Giants | – | ||
5 | 13 | 125 | Jeff Pegues | LB | Redskins | – | ||
5 | 21 | 133 | Hal Stephens | DE | Rams | – | ||
10 | 1 | 253 | Norwood Vann | TE | Rams | – | ||
10 | 28 | 280 | ^Earnest Byner | RB | Browns | Pro Bowl (1990) (1991) 70 Greatest Redskins | ||
11 | 4 | 284 | John Robertson | T | Eagles | – | ||
1985 | 3 | 24 | 80 | Stefon Adams | DB | Raiders | – | [34] |
8 | 4 | 200 | Ricky Nichols | WR | Colts | – | ||
1986 | 6 | 27 | 165 | Kevin Walker | DB | Buccaneers | – | [35] |
10 | 3 | 252 | Tony Baker | RB | Falcons | – | ||
1988 | 8 | 5 | 198 | Anthony Simpson | RB | Buccaneers | – | [36] |
10 | 4 | 253 | Ellis Dillahunt | DB | Bengals | – | ||
1990 | 3 | 14 | 67 | Walter Wilson | WR | Chargers | – | [37] |
5 | 1 | 110 | Junior Robinson | DB | Patriots | – | ||
7 | 14 | 179 | James Singletary | LB | Colts | – | ||
10 | 27 | 275 | Anthony Thompson | LB | Broncos | – | ||
1991 | 9 | 3 | 226 | Ernie Logan | DE | Falcons | – | [38] |
1992 | 1 | 24 | 24 | ^Robert Jones | LB | Cowboys | Pro Bowl (1994) | [39] |
6 | 26 | 166 | Jeff Blake | QB | Jets | Pro Bowl (1995) | ||
8 | 14 | 210 | Luke Fisher | TE | Vikings | – | ||
9 | 26 | 250 | Chris Hall | DB | Cowboys | – | ||
10 | 22 | 274 | Dion Johnson | WR | Oilers | – | ||
1993 | 6 | 8 | 148 | Tom Scott | T | Bengals | – | [40] |
1994 | 6 | 4 | 165 | Bernard Carter | LB | Buccaneers | – | [41] |
7 | 8 | 202 | Carlester Crumpler | TE | Seahawks | – | ||
1996 | 4 | 16 | 111 | Emmanuel McDaniel | DB | Panthers | – | [42] |
5 | 2 | 134 | Jerris McPhail | RB | Dolphins | – | ||
1997 | 5 | 1 | 131 | Lamont Burns | G | Jets | – | [43] |
1998 | 3 | 21 | 82 | Larry Shannon | WR | Dolphins | – | [44] |
1999 | 5 | 20 | 153 | Rod Coleman | DE | Raiders | Pro Bowl (2005) | [45] |
6 | 32 | 231 | Troy Smith | WR | Eagles | – | ||
2002 | 4 | 10 | 108 | David Garrard | QB | Jaguars | Pro Bowl (2009) | [46] |
7 | 30 | 241 | Leonard Henry | RB | Dolphins | – | ||
2004 | 7 | 45 | 246 | Brian Rimpf | T | Ravens | – | [47] |
2006 | 4 | 32 | 129 | #Guy Whimper | T | Giants | – | [29] |
2007 | 5 | 9 | 146 | *Aundrae Allison | KR, WR | Vikings | – | [48] |
2008 | 1 | 24 | 24 | Chris Johnson | RB | Titans | Pro Bowl (2008), (2009), (2010) | [49] |
2009 | 5 | 13 | 149 | Davon Drew | TE | Ravens | – | [16] |
2010 | 2 | 14 | 46 | #Linval Joseph | DT | Giants | Pro Bowl (2017) | [50] |
7 | 14 | 221 | Matt Dodge | P | Giants | – | [51] | |
7 | 23 | 230 | #C. J. Wilson | DE | Packers | – | [52] | |
2011 | 6 | 11 | 176 | *Dwayne Harris | WR | Cowboys | Pro Bowl (2017) | [53] |
2015 | 4 | 8 | 107 | Justin Hardy | WR | Falcons | – | [54] |
2017 | 2 | 5 | 37 | Zay Jones | WR | Bills | – | [55] |
2021 | 4 | 34 | 139 | D'Ante Smith | OT | Bengals | – |
Notes
edit- ^ In American and Canadian football, a back is a player who is lined up behind the linemen, the players who line up closest to the line of scrimmage.
References
edit- ^ "East Carolina Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. 2008. Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
- ^ Alder, James. "NFL Draft Basics:Determining Order of Selection". About.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2007. Retrieved May 5, 2008.
- ^ "ECU's Chris Johnson selected in the first round". College. PirateIllustrated.com. April 27, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ Cherubini, Ron (2002). "A Peek Behind the Steel Curtain". Pirate Time Machine. Bonesville.net. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "Earnest Byner". Coaching Staff. Washington Redskins. 2008. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "Robert Jones". Hall of Fame. East Carolina Official Athletic Site. 2008. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ Book, Sue (March 21, 2008). "Havelock to honor Giants' Guy Whimper with key to the city". Local. New Bern Sun Journal. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "Tony Collins". Players. Pro-Football-Reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "Earnest Byner". Players. Pro-Football-Reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on March 29, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "Jeff Blake". Players. Pro-Football-Reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 28, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "Rod Coleman". Players. Pro-Football-Reference.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "David Garrard". Jacksonville Jaguars - Players. NFL.com. 2008.
- ^ "Guy Whimper". New York Giants - Players. NFL.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 27, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "Aundrae Allison". Minnesota Vikings - Players. NFL.com. 2008. Archived from the original on April 10, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ "Chris Johnson". Tennessee Titans - Players. NFL.com. 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
- ^ a b "Davon Drew". Baltimore Ravens - Players. NFL.com. 2009. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
- ^ "Willie Smith". San Diego Chargers - Players. NFL.com. 2013. Archived from the original on November 22, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
- ^ "Dominique Davis". Atlanta Falcons - Players. NFL.com. 2009. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
- ^ This is the team that drafted the player, not their most recent team.
- ^ "1951 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1961 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1964 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1969 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1973 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1974 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1977 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1978NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1979 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ a b "2006 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1981 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1982 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1983 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1984 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1985 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1986 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1988NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1990 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1991 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1992 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1993 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "1994 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1996 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1997 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1998 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "1999 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "2002 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "2004 NFL Player Draft". Draft. databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
- ^ "Aundrae Allison". NFL Draft Scout. 2008. Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- ^ "Chris Johnson". NFL Draft Scout. 2008. Archived from the original on March 2, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2008.
- ^ "Linval Joseph". ESPN. 2010. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ "Matt Dodge". ESPN. 2010. Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
- ^ "C. J. Wilson". ESPN. 2010. Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
- ^ "Dwayne Harris". ESPN. 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
- ^ "Justin Hardy Draft Profile". NFL. 2015. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ "Zay Jones Draft Profile". NFL. 2017. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.