Texas QB Sam Ehlinger declares for NFL Draft

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collegepressbox.com

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 3, 2021) It is being reported by various news outlets, including ESPN and KXAN television that Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger has declared his intention to enter the NFL Draft in 2021. 

The Austin native made 43 career starts for the Longhorns, including 11,276 yards passing, 1,912 yards rushing and 126 touchdowns (rushing and passing). In addition , he is one of only three players in FBS history to throw for at least 11,000 career yards and rush for more than 1,500 yards.

The 2021 NFL Draft will occur on April 29.

Packers sign Prairie View A&M's Jones, Morton as undrafted free agents

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PVAMU Sports Information

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS (April 25, 2020) The Green Bay Packers have signed two Prairie View A&M University football players as undrafted free agent. Quarterback Jalen Morton and tight end Jordan Jones inked free agent deals late Saturday evening.

Morton (shown right) was one of the leading players in the SWAC, totallying 2,300 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns. In addition, he threw for more than 1,800 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2019. His 230.1 yards per game figure was third-highest in the league despite playing in just eight games. 

Photo courtesy of
PVAMU Sports Information

Jones (shown left) was an explosive target in the Panthers' third-ranked passing offense, catching 28 passes for 497 yards, In addition, he caught 56 passes for 963 yards and 11 touchdowns over his career.

PVAMU Interim Athletic Director Alicia Pete stated, "I am proud of these young men and how they will be representing Prairie View A&M University on the next level. It's always a good day to be a Panther and this is a great time for the athletic department and the University."

Over the past two seasons, the Panthers have sent five former players to the professional ranks.

"It's an extremely great opportunity for these guys, and it speaks a lot to what we have going on within our program," PVAMU Head Football Coach Eric Dooley said. "For the second straight year we have had players getting the opportunity to continue doing what they love. This speaks volumes about our coaching staff and what we have been able to accomplish in terms of not only honing in on their skills on the field, but staying on them academically as well."

LB Alex Highsmith selected in third round by Pittsburgh Steelers

Photo by Ted Gangi (CollegePressBox.com)

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (April 24, 2020) Charlotte linebacker Alex Highsmith was selected as the Pittsburgh Steelers second pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The 2020 NFL Combine participant was named to the All-Combine Team as an edge rusher, was the 102nd overall pick late Friday evening.

During his senior year, he was named a 3rd team Associated Press All-American in addition to being named to the elite squad by Pro Football Focus. He was the first 49er to earn All-America honors and was selected to the All Conference USA team twice, the first Charlotte player do achieve the honor.

He tallied 14 sacks during his senior year, which ranked him fourth nationally. Also, he was a Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist and holds the school record for sacks in a game (4.5), sacks in a season (14), and sacks in a career (20).

He joined TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock as the newest Steeler. Blacklock was selected number 40 by Pittsburgh earlier in the eventing.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney discussed Hightower prior to their September 21, 2019 contest against Charlotte:

“He’s on all the ‘great player’ lists. I kept watching him and going, ‘Holy cow.’ He looks like Xavier Thomas. He’s physical, fast, disruptive. He’s causing sacks and tips. Really, really good football player. That No. 5 could play for anybody in the country.” 

Steelers select WR Chase Claypool in second round of NFL Draft

Photo by Ted Gangi (CollegePressBox.com)

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (April 24, 2020) With their first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool. The 6-4, 229-pound senior, who played his high school ball at Abbotsford High School in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, led the Fighting Irish with 66 receptions for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns during his senior season. His 13 receiving touchdowns rank sixth most in a season by an Irish player.

He saw action in all 13 Notre Dame games in 2019 including the Camping World Bowl, were he was honored as the game's Most Valuable Player. In the bowl game, he caught seven passes for 146 yards and one touchdown against Iowa State. As a freshman in 2016 became the eighth player from Canada to appear in varsity action for Notre Dame.

In his junior years, he played in all 13 games, starting 12 of those contests. In addition, he finished the season second on the team with 639 receiving yards on 50 receptions and four TDs. He also tallied touchdown grabs in consecutive games against Wake Forest and No. 7 Stanford.

Houston OLB Tyus Bowser selected by Baltimore in NFL Draft

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 28, 2017) In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Houston Cougars had their first player selected when the Baltimore Ravens chose outside linebacker Tyus Bowers as the 47^th overall pick; 15^th pick of the second round.

Bowers, who is 6’3” tall and tips the scales at 247 pounds, missed a month of his senior season, due to a broken orbital bone as a result of a fight witha teammate. After his return to the field, he led the Cougars with 8.5 sacks along with 12 tackles (for a loss) in eight games. During his freshman and sophomore years, he played both football and basketball. He played in all games during his freshman season, amassing 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks.

The Ravens finished 2016 with an 8-8 record and second place in the AFC North. Their defense game up 20.1 points per game (9^th), 322.1 yards (7^th), 232.8 yards passing (9^th) and 89.4 yards (5^th).

Houston Texans select ILB Zach Cunningham in the 2nd round of NFL Draft

Cunningham tallied six tackles, three of them solo,
in the 2016 Independence Bowl against
NC State on December 26, 2016.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis,
La Vita Loca Photpgraphy,
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 28, 2017) The Houston Texans added to the defense with the selection of Vanderbilt ILB Zach Cunningham as the 25th pick in the second round (57th overall). The first-team All-America selection in 2016, led the SEC in with 125 tackles and topped 10-plus in seven of the Commordores' 13 games. In his three-year college career, the tallied 256 tackles, with 36 for a loss. In addition, he had six forced tackles and seven fumble recoveries. He was selected a first-team All-SEC selection the past two seasons. In the first round, the Texans selected Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson with the 12th pick overall. They moved up in the draft order on a deal with Cleveland and Philadelphia.