Bears Lead All Texas Schools in NFL Draft

Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

In the 2014 NFL Draft, the University of Texas failed to have any players selected for the first time since 1936, while the Baylor Bears led all universities with five. TCU, Texas Tech, Baylor and SMU all managed to put at least one player in the field of 256.  Below is a school-by-school rundown of all players selected in the Lone Star State.

BAYLOR BEARS- Players Drafted: 5

While Baylor had the most players drafted in the state, no one was selected higher than the 5th Round. Offensive Guard Cyril Richardson was the first Bear chosen and went 153rd to the Buffalo Bills. Richardson was a 5th year senior and one of the most decorated offensive linemen in the college last year. While he was originally projected to go a little higher, reports say his performance at the Senior Bowl and work ethic caused him to fall to the Bills in the 5th round.

Despite being known for their high-octane passing game, Baylor also led the Big XII in rushing behind RB Lache Seastrunk’s averaging a ridiculous 7.0 yards per carry 158 attempts and following it up with 11 touchdowns. Seastrunk is now set to lineup behind former teammate Robert Griffin III after being selected 186th by the Washington Redskins.

CB Demetri Goodsen was selected 197th overall by the Green Bay Packers. Goodsen was a former point guard at Gonzaga before transferring to Baylor. He did not play in 2012, but put together a solid 2013 season recording 26 tackles, 16 breakups and 3 interceptions. Goodsen was the second DB taken by the Packers, behind first-round safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

WR Tevin Reese had an explosive career as a a Bear finishing with 187 catches for 3,102 yards and 24 touchdowns, but missed four games last year due to a broken wrist.  He was selected 240th by the San Diego Chargers and joins a wide receiver core featuring Eddie Royal, Vincent Brown, Keenan Allen, and Malcom Floyd. It will be hard to break into this roster, but if he performs anything like former Baylor WRs Kendall Wright, Josh Gordon and Terrance Williams, he could find roster spot somewhere in the league.

The final Bear selected in the 2014 drafted was hard-hitting safety Ahmad Dixon at 248 by the Dallas Cowboys. While the Cowboys seem content with Barry Church at Strong Safety, Dixon could be brought in to provide some competition for Free Safety  J.J. Wilcox.

TEXAS A&M AGGIES- Players Drafted: 3

While Baylor won in quantity, A&M may have won with quality. All three of their players were drafted in the first round, including two in the top ten. The first Aggie selected was Jake Matthews at No. 6 to the Atlanta Falcons. Last year the Falcons were decimated by injury and gave them an opportunity to sure up an already solid offensive line. Matthews stands at 6-5, 305 lbs, and was named an All-American his Junior season and continued his success by replacing Luke Joeckel at Left Tackle his Senior season.

WR Mike Evans became the second Aggie selected in the 2014 NFL draft  at No. 7 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers immediately after his teammate Matthews. Evans will lineup across Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson which will give the Bucs on paper one of the most dynamic WR cores in the league. With both Evans and Jackson standing at 6-5, papers are already dawning the name, ‘Twin Towers” for the receiving duo.

With the 22nd overall pick, the Cleveland Browns selected Johnny Manziel. Maziel was actually the Browns’ second, first round pick after picking up Justin Gilbert at at No. 8. Manziel is the fourth QB the Browns have selected in the first round since 1999 and will become the team’s 21st starting QB in the same amount of time.

TEXAS TECH RAIDERS- Players Drafted: 2

TE Jace Amaro was selected by the New York Jets with the 49th pick. Amaro was arguably one the best pass catchers in college football last year. Though he is listed as a tight end, he actually took more snaps lining up outside the tackle boxes as a wide out or slot receiver than inside with the heavy lifters. Thanks in part to the success of receiving tight ends like Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Cameron, and Antonio Gates, Amaro’s combination of size, strength and hands has made him a valuable commodity in today’s NFL. The Jets and Geno Smith could see a vast improvement with their offense if Amaro lives up to his ability.

With their second, seventh round pick, the Cowboys at No. 238 selected Outside Linebacker Will Smith. After a a very disappointing season on defense, the Cowboys loaded up with young cheap talent with all five of their seventh round picks. Smith will backup LB Bruce Carter on the edge, who had a lackluster 2013 campaign after being named a full-time starter. Smith will be a project piece for the Cowboys, but could start out seeing significant playing time on special teams. In Smith’s Senior season, he recorded 120 tackles, 10.5 TFL,  and 4.5 sacks in all 13 games.

SMU MUSTANGS- Players Drafted: 2

The San Francisco 49ers continued to build around their defense by selecting Cornerback Kenneth Acker 180th overall. Acker became the fourth DB selected by the 49ers this draft behind Jimmie Ward, Dontae Johnson, and Keith Reaser. He played all four years at SMU and was a starter since his Sophomore year. Reports say he has good coverage qualities but struggles in press coverage, most notably against A&M and receiver Mike Evans.

Depending on how technical you get, the Longhorns did have a player drafted in 2014. The St. Louis Rams selected Quarterback Garrett Gilbert in the sixth round at No. 214. Gilbert transferred from UT  in 2012 and started the last two seasons for the Mustangs. He finished his SMU career with 6,490 yards, 36 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.  With the jury still out on the injury riddled Sam Bradford, Gilbert could find himself in in contention for some playing time depending on how the Rams shake out this season.

TCU HORNED FROGS– Players Drafted: 1

San Diego continues to find their talent out of Fort Worth by selecting Jason Verrett 25th overall. Verrett was a three year starter for the Horned Frogs and was name Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the Big XII in 2013. His strengths include fantastic measurable’s, including his 40-yard dash (4.38 seconds), 3-cone drill (6.69), short shuttle (4.00) vertical jump (39 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 8 inches). The only downside may be his 5-9, 189 lb frame which can be overwhelmed by larger receivers and blockers.