DALLAS (FWAA) Eleven members of the 2004 Football Writers
Association of America All-America Team were chosen in the first round
of the 2005 NFL Draft. Four of the top nine players - including overall
No. 1 pick Alex Smith of Utah - chosen were FWAA All-Americans this
past season and a total of 19 were chosen in the two-day draft. Additionally,
four 2003 FWAA All-Americans were drafted, two in the first round.
Smith, the Utah quarterback, was the top overall selection by the 49ers,
followed by Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards, who was chosen by
the Browns at No. 3. Miami defensive back Antrel Rolle was the eighth
overall pick by the Cardinals, followed by Auburn cornerback Carlos Rogers,
who was taken as the ninth overall pick by the Redskins.
Seven other 2004 FWAA All-Americans were then chosen in the first round:
Outland Trophy-winning offensive tackle Jammal Brown of Oklahoma
(13th, Saints); Bronko Nagurski Trophy-winning Texas linebacker Derrick
Johnson (15th, Chiefs), Georgia defensive end David Pollack (17th,
Bengals); Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James (18th, Vikings);
Outland finalist and Florida State offensive tackle Alex Barron (19th,
Rams); Michigan defensive back Marlon Jackson (29th, Colts) and Virginia
tight end Heath Miller (30th, Steelers).
Sixteen of the first 33 picks were FWAA All-Americans, including each
of the three Outland Trophy finalists. The five second-round picks were
Outland finalist and Michigan offensive lineman David Baas (33rd,
49ers); USC defensive tackle Shaun Cody (37th, Lions); Cal running
back J.J. Arrington (44th, Cardinals); Ohio State kicker Mike
Nugent (47th, Jets); and Oklahoma defensive lineman Dan Cody
(53rd, Ravens).
Four players from the 2003 FWAA All-America team were drafted. USC receiver
Mike Williams (10th, Lions); Oklahoma receiver Mark Clayton
(22nd, Ravens); Tennessee punter Dustin Colquitt (99th, Chiefs) and
Oklahoma return specialist Antonio Perkins (103rd, Browns).
The 900-plus member Football Writers Association of America has awarded
an All-America team each season since 1944. The FWAA All-America Team is
the second-oldest continuously named team in college football. For more
information, go to www.footballwriters.com
or www.allamericateam.com.
Steve Richardson is the executive director of the FWAA.
Related links:
FWAA All-America Team (www.allamericateam.com)
· 2004 FWAA All-America Team
· 2003 FWAA All-America Team