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With the first pick in the NFL Draft…
The NFL Draft begins today! College football players have been waiting for this night their whole life as they look to turn their game into a professional career.
Two student-athletes from Boston College and three from Georgia Tech, who played in Ireland for the 2016 game at Aviva Stadium, are now prospects for this year’s draft.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”BOSTON COLLEGE” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1302″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
John Johnson, Safety
Johnson’s career with the Eagles ended on a high note, beating his home-state team, Maryland, in the Quick Lane Bowl. He had 12 tackles (11 solo) in the contest, capping off an excellent senior season (77 tackles, 2.5 for loss, three interceptions, nine pass breakups). In 2015, Johnson got on scouts’ radars as a first-year starter (63 tackles, 1.5 for loss, three INT, three PBU). He may have done so as a sophomore, but missed the last five regular season games of the year with an arm injury before coming back for the bowl game (25 tackles on the year, two PBU). The second-team all-state pick from Maryland contributed in all 12 games as a freshman, picking up four tackles and a fumble recovery. Read Full Profile[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1295″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Matt Milano, Linebacker
In recent years, Boston College football was known for the skill of its linebackers, from Luke Kuechly to Mark Herzlich. Milano, the 2012 Central Florida Defensive Player of the Year, took on that mantle the past two seasons for the Eagles after appearing in 25 games as a reserve his first two seasons on campus (23 tackles, three for loss). ACC media voted him honorable mention all-conference after his junior season where he had 60 tackles, a team-high 17.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. Milano started on the strong side for the second straight year in 2016, earning honorable mention all-ACC nods from coaches and media (58 tackles, 11 for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, blocked punt). Read Full Profile[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”GEORGIA TECH” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1301″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Harrison Butker, Kicker
Georgia Tech’s all-time leading scorer finished his collegiate career on a strong note, making four field goals in the TaxSlayer Bowl victory over Kentucky. Butker was a third-team All-ACC pick by league media in 2016, connecting on 17-of-18 field goal attempts (long of 52 yards), making all 46 extra point tries and forcing 54 touchbacks on 73 kickoffs. He grew up as a Tech fan in Decatur but was a soccer player until his sophomore year of high school (his school won three state titles in that sport his final three years there). Butker excelled early for the Yellow Jackets, taking over the kicker role as a true freshman in 2013 (10-14 FG; 53-54 XP; 30 TB-73 KO). He scored 98 points as a sophomore (11-18 FG; 65-66 XP) but dropped to 65 the next season (7-11 FG, 44-44 XP; 41 TB-61 KO) as his team didn’t score as often. Read Full Profile[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1299″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Patrick Gamble, Defensive Tackle
Plus physical traits to play 5-technique with exceptionally long arms and big hands. Plays with adequate punch and shed ability at point of attack. Gets arm extension and slides down the line of scrimmage mirroring runner when able. Decent athlete. Shows ability to disengage and range down the line using his length to make a tackle. Has good pursuit speed and motor. Former defensive end who has begun to grasp technique needed to play inside. Able to get skinny into the gaps against zone plays. Plays on kick block unit. Blocked a kick against Florida State in 2015 that was recovered and returned for game-winning touchdown. Read Full Profile[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1300″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Justin Thomas, Cornerback
Highly-respected, three-year captain as a quarterback. Tough and competitive. Handled the pressure that came with running Georgia Tech’s option offense for three seasons. Recruited by Alabama as a defensive back and was a late replacement at the Senior Bowl at that same position. Ran a blazing 40-yard dash time at his pro day. Played baseball in high school and showed ability to track the ball in punt catching drills. Has reactive quickness to be targeted as a receiver. Read Full Profile[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The National Football League (NFL) Draft is an annual event in which NFL teams select eligible college football players. The basic design of the draft is that each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order relative to its record in the previous year, which means that the last place team is positioned first. From this position, the team can either select a player or trade their position to another team for other draft positions, a player or players, or any combination thereof. The round is complete when each team has either selected a player or traded its draft position. The draft consists of seven rounds.
Be sure to watch the Draft live or follow online.
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