Crowell, McMullen Selected in NFL Draft
Story Links
April 28, 2003
NEW YORK – Former Virginia football captains Angelo Crowell (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and Billy McMullen (Richmond, Va.) were selected in the 2003 National Football League’s Draft on Saturday.
Crowell, a 6-0 linebacker, was the 30th pick in the third round (94th selection overall) by the Buffalo Bills. McMullen, a 6-4 wide receiver, was the next pick (95th selection overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles.
As a senior last fall, Crowell was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honoree. He also earned first-team All-State recognition by the Roanoke Times and the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association (VaSIDA). Named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week following UVa’s upset of South Carolina, Crowell was the co-recipient of the team’s Ned McDonald Award as the outstanding defensive player. Crowell set a school record with 155 tackles and finished sixth in the ACC in tackling with an average of 11.1 stops per game. He finished his career third in school history with 420 tackles. He made 14 tackles in UVa’s 48-22 win over West Virginia in the inaugural Continental Tire Bowl, the ninth time he led the team in tackling last season. He participated in the 2003 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
McMullen was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honoree. He also earned first-team All-State recognition by the Roanoke Times and VaSIDA. An ECAC All-Star, McMullen received the team’s Joe Palumbo Award for self-sacrifice and enthusiasm. McMullen, who suffered a dislocated left elbow on his only catch of the game on UVa’s first possession of the Continental Tire Bowl, finished his career with 210 receptions, second in ACC history. He was selected to participate in the 2003 Senior Bowl.
Joining the professional ranks as free agents were Jerton Evans (Lynchburg, Va.) and Merrill Robertson (Richmond, Va.). Evans, a 5-11 safety, signed with the Buffalo Bills, while Robinson, a 6-1 linebacker, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Evans earned second-team All-ACC accolades last season. A first-team All-State pick by the Roanoke Times and the VaSIDA, he was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week following UVa’s victory over Duke. He shared the Ned McDonald Award with Crowell. A ferocious hitter with a linebacker’s penchant for getting physical, Evans was in on a career-high 116 tackles last season, the most in school history by a defensive back. He finished third in tackling among ACC defensive backs. Evans is second in school history in tackles by a defensive back with 293, trailing only Anthony Poindexter (342). Evans participated in the 2003 Rotary Gridiron Classic College All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla.
Robertson received the team?s John Polzer Award for ability, sportsmanship and character. He showed what he can do when healthy and had by far the best season of his career as a senior last fall. He finished the season with 122 tackles, 40 more than his career total coming into the season, and tied for 10th in the ACC in tackling (8.7/g). A very underrated player, he proved to be one of the team’s defensive leaders throughout the season. Robertson moved from his normal inside linebacker position to an outside spot for the final four games of the season and helped UVa post three wins over ranked teams in that time. He participated in the 2003 Hula Bowl.
Also signed over the weekend were former Cavaliers James Johnson (Camp Springs, Md.) and Arlen Harris (Exton, Pa.).
Johnson, a wide receiver who transferred to Bowie State, signed with the Washington Redskins following the draft. Harris, a 5-11 running back who transferred to Hofstra following the 2001 season but didn’t play, signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams.
One of three true freshmen to play in 1998, Johnson saw action in 10 games as a reserve. He redshirted as a sophomore due to injury. A two-year letterwinner, Harris played in 20 games at UVa during the 1999, 2000, and 2001 seasons due to a knee injury.
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
(as of April 30, 2003)
Player Ht. Pos. Action TeamAngelo Crowell 6-0 LB Round 3 (94th pick) Buffalo BillsBilly McMullen 6-4 WR Round 3 (95th pick) Philadelphia EaglesJerton Evans 5-11 S Signed as free agent Buffalo BillsMerrill Robertson 6-1 LB Signed as free agent Philadelphia EaglesArlen Harris 5-11 RB Signed as free agent St. Louis RamsJames Johnson 6-1 WR Signed as free agent Washington RedskinsShernard Newby 6-1 S Signed 1 year+option CFL Toronto Argonauts