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Former Yellow Jackets in the NFL
July 29, 2004 ATLANTA--With National Football League training camps getting underway this week, 23 former Yellow Jackets are in camp with NFL teams, including seven members of last year's Georgia Tech team. Tech had five players selected in the 2004 NFL draft, its most since the highest number of Yellow Jackets drafted in one year since 1992, when the draft lasted 12 rounds. Leading the way for Tech was linebacker Daryl Smith, who was selected in the second round with the 39th overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith, an honorable mention all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, is the highest Yellow Jacket draft pick since Keith Brooking was taken in the first round (12th pick) by the Atlanta Falcons. Also drafted last spring and now in camp were linebacker Keyaron Fox (Kansas City Chiefs, 3rd round), tackle Nat Dorsey (Minnesota Vikings, 4th round) and wide receiver Jonathan Smith (BuffaloBills, 7th round), as well as defensive end Tony Hargrove (St. Louis Rams, 3rd round), a member of the 2002 team. Three players from last season signed free agent contracts in cornerback Jonathan Cox (San Diego Chargers), tight end John Paul Foschi (New York Jets), and center Hugh Reilly (Tennessee Titans). Among Tech's NFL veteran players the Pro Bowl linebacker Brooking of the Atlanta Falcons, where his new teammate is wide receiver Dez White. The former Chicago Bear signed with the Falcons in the offseason. Tech's longest-tenured veteran is defensive end Marco Coleman, who enters his 13th NFL season after signing with the Denver Broncos. The former first-round draft pick has also played for San Diego, Miami, Washington, with whom he made the Pro Bowl, Jacksonville and Philadelphia. Coleman is one of three former Jackets playing with the Broncos, along with defensive backs Nick Ferguson and Chris Young. The Minnesota Vikings also boast three former Yellow Jackets in wide receiver Kelly Campbell and linebacker Nick Rogers in addition to Dorsey. Two former Tech players are in Kansas City in Fox and punter Rodney Williams. Former Tech quarterback and Heisman Trophy runner-up Joe Hamilton signed with Indianapolis after a standout season in the Arena Football League. Tight end Will Heller is with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after making the team as an undrafted free agent last year. Tony Hollings is also entering his second year, after a solid rookie season with the Houston Texans. Safety Travares Tillman returns to Carolina after playing for the Panthers' Super Bowl team last season. Running back Joe Burns returns for his third season with the Buffalo Bills. Wide receiver Charlie Rogers is with Miami and defensive end Felipe Claybrooks is in Cleveland. That makes 10 NFL players from Tech's 1998 squad, which went 10-2 and won the Gator Bowl. Former Yellow Jackets Dorsey Levens and Lethon Flowers are still active but currently unsigned. TECH'S ACTIVE NFL VETERANS Player NFL Yr. Current Team Keith Brooking 7th Atlanta Falcons Joe Burns 3rd Buffalo Bills Kelly Campbell 3rd Minnesota Vikings Felipe Claybrooks 3rd Cleveland Browns Marco Coleman 13th Denver Broncos Nick Ferguson 9th Denver Broncos Lethon Flowers 10th Unsigned Joe Hamilton 4th Indianapolis Colts Will Heller 2nd Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tony Hollings 2nd Houston Texans Dorsey Levens 11th Unsigned Charlie Rogers 6th Miami Dolphins Nick Rogers 3rd Minnesota Vikings Travares Tillman 5th Carolina Panthers Dez White 5th Atlanta Falcons Rodney Williams 3rd Kansas City Chiefs Chris Young 3rd Denver Broncos
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