Several OVC football players will look to realize their dreams of playing professional football this weekend when the National Football League (NFL) conducts its annual draft. There are some changes to the draft format this year, as the draft is a three-day event spanning Thursday through Saturday (instead of just Saturday and Sunday).
The first round will be held Thursday night (April 22, 7:30 pm ET) with Rounds 2-3 being conducted at 6 p.m. ET on Friday night. The final four rounds will be held on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
All the action can be seen on ESPN.
That brings us to the question of what the draft brings for Ohio Valley Conference players who have now finished their careers. Last season the OVC had 14 players on NFL rosters, including former Tennessee State running back Javarris Williams, who was the lone OVC player to be drafted last season (7th round by the Kansas City Chiefs).
Since the league formed in 1948, 137 total players have been selected in the Draft, with four players being taken in the first round (lastly Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in 2008). In 1973 an all-time high seven OVC players were selected, including EKU's Wally Chambers, who was the No. 8 overall by the Chicago Bears.
So who will be picked from the OVC this year? Let's take a look at a few of the top candidates who have the best chance of hearing their name called this year.
All the action can be seen on ESPN.
That brings us to the question of what the draft brings for Ohio Valley Conference players who have now finished their careers. Last season the OVC had 14 players on NFL rosters, including former Tennessee State running back Javarris Williams, who was the lone OVC player to be drafted last season (7th round by the Kansas City Chiefs).
Since the league formed in 1948, 137 total players have been selected in the Draft, with four players being taken in the first round (lastly Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in 2008). In 1973 an all-time high seven OVC players were selected, including EKU's Wally Chambers, who was the No. 8 overall by the Chicago Bears.
So who will be picked from the OVC this year? Let's take a look at a few of the top candidates who have the best chance of hearing their name called this year.
Austen Lane, DL - Murray State
NFL.com's Gil Brandt said of Lane ... "At the Racers' pro day, he was 6-foot-6 1/8, 274 pounds, but his frame indicates he could very easily go up to 295 pounds and remain effective. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.89 and 4.98 seconds, had a 4.44-second short shuttle and did 20 bench-press repetitions at 225 pounds. He stood on his vertical jump and broad jump from last month's NFL Scouting Combine. In total, six players worked out outdoors on FieldTurf for 10 team representatives."
Look for Lane's name to be called before the end of round four.
Check out this story on Austen from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Lane is a Wisconsin native).
Ryan Perrilloux, QB - Jacksonville State
Perrilloux took home OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors after leading the Gamecocks to the best record in the league. He passed for 2,350 yards and 23 touchdowns (and only two interceptions) while rushing for eight additional scores during the year. With a cannon for an arm, Perrilloux has all the physical tools to be a success. After getting into some trouble and transferring from LSU, the Louisiana native (who was considered the top high school player in the country) put trouble behind him in his last two years with Jax State.
For more on Ryan, take a look at this article by Cecil Lammey (DraftGuys.com) from the New York Times NFL Blog.
Derek Hardman, OL - Eastern Kentucky
Hardman started 46 consecutive games on the offensive line for the Colonels and was selected to the All-OVC team twice. He made the switch from right tackle to left tackle before the start of the 2008 season. As a senior in 2009, Hardman earned first-team Associated Press All-American honors after grading out at over 80 percent for the season.
Anthony Blake of Blitz Nation recently wrote this article on Hardman calling him an under the radar player.
Chris Campbell, OL - Eastern Illinois
Campbell (6'6, 328 pounds) was a second-team All-OVC selection this past season at offensive tackle. After a solid year he started gaining looks when he was selected to play in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star game in El Paso, Texas in February.
Tony Pauline of TFYDraft.com wrote that "Campbell could be the best kept secret in this year's draft." According to reports the Lions and Seahawks have all shown interest in Campbell.
There are some other names to look out for, rather they get drafted or sign free agent contracts, including Tennessee State's Anthony Levine, Austin Peay's Daniel Becker, Eastern Illinois' Otis Hudson and UT Martin's Mike Hicks to name a few.
Chris Campbell, OL - Eastern Illinois
Campbell (6'6, 328 pounds) was a second-team All-OVC selection this past season at offensive tackle. After a solid year he started gaining looks when he was selected to play in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star game in El Paso, Texas in February.
Tony Pauline of TFYDraft.com wrote that "Campbell could be the best kept secret in this year's draft." According to reports the Lions and Seahawks have all shown interest in Campbell.
There are some other names to look out for, rather they get drafted or sign free agent contracts, including Tennessee State's Anthony Levine, Austin Peay's Daniel Becker, Eastern Illinois' Otis Hudson and UT Martin's Mike Hicks to name a few.
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