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| 04-26-2004 | Previous edition: 04-23-2004 |
        
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Printer-friendly version Purdue sends 9 players to NFL
Assistant Sports Editor Three years after walking on to the Purdue football team, Nick Hardwick was the first of nine Boilermakers selected in this weekend’s NFL draft. Hardwick was picked in the third round, No. 66 overall, on Saturday by San Diego. He’ll likely have a chance at becoming the Chargers’ starting center. "I’m excited, pumped up and ready to head out to some warm weather," Hardwick said in a statement released by Purdue Sports Information. "I didn’t think San Diego liked me. The only time I talked to them was at the Senior Bowl in a roundtable interview." Hardwick was the beginning of a run on Purdue players. Former Purdue free safety Stuart Schweigert went to Oakland at No. 67, immediately after Hardwick. The Raiders also have former Boilermaker safety and future Hall of Fame candidate Rod Woodson on their roster. However, there have been rumors of Woodson’s retirement either during this offseason or the next. Two picks after Schweigert became a Raider, outside linebacker Gilbert Gardner went at pick No. 69 to Indianapolis. The Colts lost starting linebacker Marcus Washington in free agency to the Washington Redskins in the offseason, giving Gardner the opportunity to start immediately on the strong side for the Colts. The Boilermakers and the Colts run similar defensive systems, making the transition an easier one for Gardner. "I can’t ask for a better situation," Gardner said in the statement. "I knew they were interested and I’m just happy it’s a team I know and a system I know." Purdue’s other outside linebacker, Landon Johnson, thought he was going to have to wait to the draft’s second day to find a team. But, with the last pick in the third round, No. 96 overall, Johnson became a Cincinnati Bengal. "It was a great feeling," Johnson said when reached via phone Sunday afternoon. "I was thinking I was going to have to get up early and start watching the draft (on Sunday). "It’s something I’ve been working for all my life." Johnson joins a vastly improved Cincinnati squad — a change from the woe-begotten Bengals of the past. Johnson attributes much of the turnaround to second-year coach Marvin Lewis, who was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator before moving to Cincinnati. "He’s done some big things," Johnson said. "He’s turned the whole program around." After the overnight break, former Boilers continued to fall from the board. Defensive end Shaun Phillips joined Hardwick as a Charger, going as the second pick of the fourth round, No. 98 overall. Linebacker Niko Koutouvides followed Phillips in the fourth round, going at No. 116 to Seattle. Despite the wait, Koutouvides said the overnight break wasn’t too hard on him. "I’m just excited," Koutouvides said when reached via phone Sunday. "I was anxious because I saw a couple of linebackers go in the first couple of rounds." Koutouvides said that after talking to Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren and defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes, he got the feeling he’d being staying at inside linebacker. "The chance to make an impact is exciting," Koutouvides said. "I’ll be in a city where I think I’ll fit best in." After Koutouvides went in the fourth round, Purdue players were absent from the draft until tackle Kelly Butler was selected by Detroit in the sixth round at No. 172 overall. Butler fell far from where many mock drafts had him going — on the first day of the draft. Defensive tackle Craig Terrill also went in the sixth round of the draft, at No. 189 to Seattle. The Seahawks cut veteran defensive tackle John Randle in the offseason, fueling their need for players at Terrill’s position. "I think I fit in real well with their system," Terrill said when reached via phone Sunday. "That was a position they needed. "It’s a dream come true." Koutouvides and Terrill will be flying out to Seattle on Thursday. Both of them were happy to have a Boiler teammate accompanying them through the NFL transition. "Knowing somebody always makes the transition easier," Koutouvides said. The final former Purdue athlete to be selected was cornerback Jacques Reeves, who went in the seventh round, No. 223 overall, to the Dallas Cowboys. Ohio State had the most players selected in the seven rounds, with 14. Purdue and Miami (Fla.) tied for second among schools with nine. The nine Boilermakers selected were the most for Purdue since 10 players were selected in the 1960 NFL draft. Printer-friendly version |
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