April 28, 2007

Coral Gables - The University of Miami had three players selected in the first round of today's NFL draft, extending the school record streak to 13 consecutive years in which a Hurricanes player has been chosen in the first round.

Safety Brandon Meriweather was the first drafted, being selected with the 24th choice by the New England Patriots. Linebacker Jon Beason was drafted one pick later by the Carolina Panthers. And tight end Greg Olsen was drafted with the 31st selection.

Miami's streak of 13 straight years with a first-round draft choice is unprecedented in football history. The previous longest streak was nine straight years by the University of Florida (1983-91). The University of Miami's string began in 1995 when Warren Sapp was drafted in the first round. In the last 13 years, UM has had 32 players drafted in the first round of the NFL draft.

"It's a great honor for the University of Miami because we set the bar high," said UM head coach Randy Shannon. "It means a lot to the university because we are a family and this is a unique place. A streak this long means we've had a lot of really good players come through here. But, to me, to have players drafted in the first round and to have them already graduated, that's what is really important. We pride ourselves on being the best we can be on and off the field, and this is another example of that."

Since 1982, Miami has had 49 players drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. Prior to 1982, only 11 UM players had ever been selected in the first round.

Here are the Miami first-round draft selections all-time:

Player-Position Year No. Team Brandon Meriweather 2007 24 New England Jon Beason 2007 25 Carolina Greg Olsen 2007 31 Chicago Jennings, Kelly-CB 2006 31 Seattle Rolle, Antrel-CB 2005 8 Arizona Taylor, Sean-FS 2004 5 Washington Winslow, Kellen-TE 2004 6 Cleveland Vilma, Jonathan 2004 12 N.Y. Jets Williams, D.J.-LB 2004 17 Denver Carey, Vernon-OL 2004 19 Miami Wilfork, Vince-DT 2004 21 New England Johnson, Andre-WR 2003 3 Houston Texans McDougle, Jerome-DL 2003 15 Philadelphia McGahee, Willis-RB 2003 23 Buffalo Joseph, William-DT 2003 25 N.Y. Giants McKinnie, Bryant-OL 2002 7 Minnesota Shockey, Jeremy-TE 2002 14 N.Y. Giants Buchanon, Phillip-CB 2002 17 Oakland Reed, Edward-S 2002 24 Baltimore Rumph, Mike-CB 2002 27 San Francisco Morgan, Dan-LB 2001 11 Carolina Lewis, Damione-DT 2001 12 St. Louis Rams Moss, Santana-WR 2001 16 New York Wayne, Reggie-WR 2001 30 Indianapolis Franks, Bubba-TE 2000 14 Green Bay James, Edgerrin-RB 1999 4 Indianapolis Starks, Duane-CB 1998 10 Baltimore Green, Yatil-WR 1997 15 Miami Lang, Kenard-DE 1997 17 Washington Holmes, Kenny-DE 1997 18 Tennessee Lewis, Ray-LB 1996 26 Baltimore Sapp, Warren-DT 1995 12 Tampa Bay Searcy, Leon-OL 1992 11 Pittsburgh Williams, Darryl-DB 1992 28 Cincinnati Maryland, Russell-DT 1991 1 Dallas Hill, Randal-WR 1991 23 Miami Kennedy, Cortez-DT 1990 3 Seattle Hawkins, Bill-DE 1989 21 L.A. Rams Gary, Cleveland-RB 1989 26 L.A. Rams Walsh, Steve-QB 1989 1* Dallas Blades, Bennie-DB 1988 3 Detroit Irvin, Michael-WR 1988 11 Dallas Testaverde, Vinny-QB 1987 1 Tampa Bay Highsmith, Alonzo-RB 1987 3 Houston Brown, Jerome-DT 1987 9 Philadelphia Brown, Eddie-WR 1985 13 Cincinnati Kosar, Bernie-QB 1984 1* Cleveland Kelly, Jim-QB 1983 14 Buffalo Williams, Lester-DT 1982 27 New England Anderson, Ottis-RB 1979 8 St. Louis Smith, Don-DE 1979 17 Atlanta Latimer, Don-DT 1978 27 Denver Edwards, Eddie-DT 1977 3 Cincinnati Harrah, Dennis-OL 1975 11 L.A. Rams Foreman, Chuck-RB 1973 12 Minnesota Owens, Burgess-DB 1973 13 N.Y. Jets Trosch, Gene-DT 1967 24 Kansas City Bosseler, Don-B 1957 1 Washington Losch, Jack-B 1956 1 Green Bay Dooley, Jim-B 1952 1 Chicago * Supplemental draft choice