The 2008 NFL Draft came and went on April 26th and 27th. University of Oregon star quarterback Dennis Dixon was the first African American quarterback selected in the 5th Round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. There were only three African American quarterbacks selected.
April 30, 2008
(Philadelphia, Pa) --- The 73rd NFL Draft titled "Believe in Now" is in the books as 252 players now have new destinations.
With only 13 quarterbacks selected overall, there were not many African American quarterbacks selected. The first African American quarterback surprisingly selected was University of Oregon senior quarterback Dennis Dixon in the 5th round (156). Dixon, who is rehabbing a knee injury, will be their developmental third stringer and if the former Heisman hopeful's knee is healthy, he could very well be the next "Slash" in the Iron City.
The next African American quarterback selected was FCS Division passer from the University of San Diego senior QB Josh Johnson. Johnson parlayed a MVP performance in the East-West Shrine game into also being selected in the 5th Round (160) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Johnson, who had been rumored to be high on Bucs' personnel man Doug Williams' list, will be joining a very crowded quarterback position in Tampa Bay. But the small school All-American is a quality passer as shown by his senior numbers of 43 TDs and only 1 INT.
The last African American quarterback selected was University of Kentucky rocket-arm quarterback Andre Woodson was drafted by the New York Giants in the 6th round (198). Woodson at one time was considered to be one of the top quarterbacks in this draft and a sure Day 1 pick, but he dropped due to not competing at the NFL Combine and a sub par performance at the Senior Bowl.
Other African American Quarterbacks and former quarterbacks that will now have to go the undrafted free agent route include:
Georgia Southern University senior QB/WR/KR Jayson Foster ('07 Walter Payton winner is a jack-of-all-trades, who is expected to be a late round pick) - Signed w/ Dolphins
Florida State redshirt junior QB Xavier Lee - Not signed as of 4/30/08
Marshall University senior quarterback Bernard Morris - Not signed as of 4/30/08
Midwestern University (TX) senior QB Daniel Polk - Signed by Dallas Cowboys as WR
Other Prospects:
Joel Armstrong, Rice senior (QB/WR)- Not signed as of 4/30/08
Jabari Arthur, Bowling Green senior (former QB, now WR)- Signed w/ KC Chiefs
A.J. Bryant, Georgia senior (former QB, now WR)- Not signed as of 4/30/08
Joe Dailey, North Carolina (QB/WR)- Not signed as of 4/30/08
Omar Haugabrook, Troy State senior - Not signed as of 4/30/08
Bernard Jackson, Colorado senior (former QB, now WR)- Not signed as of 4/30/08
Bret Meyer, Iowa State senior - Not signed as of 4/30/08
Lorne Sam, UTEP senior (QB/WR) - Signed w/Denver Broncos
Brent Schaefer, Mississippi senior (QB/WR) - Not signed as of 4/30/08
Sedale Threatt, Lehigh senior - Not signed as of 4/30/08
Jeremy Young, So. Miss. senior - Not signed as of 4/30/08
--- Submitted by Lloyd Vance
