List of UConn Huskies in the NFL draft

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Donald Brown
Donald Brown was the first player in UConn Huskies football history to be drafted in the first round.[1]

The University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies football team has had 43 players selected in the National Football League (NFL) Draft.[Note 1] Two of those selections were in the first round of the draft, both with the 27th overall pick: running back Donald Brown in 2009 and cornerback Byron Jones in 2015.[1][4][General] A Connecticut football alumnus had been selected in every NFL draft from 2007 to 2015 and in fourteen of the last eighteen NFL drafts.

Each NFL franchise seeks to add new players through the annual NFL draft. The draft rules were last updated in 2009. The team with the worst record the previous year picks first, the next-worst team second, and so on. Teams that did not make the playoffs are ordered by their regular-season record with any remaining ties broken by strength of schedule. Playoff participants are sequenced after non-playoff teams, based on their round of elimination (wild card, division, conference, and Super Bowl).[5]

Before the merger agreements in 1966, the American Football League (AFL) operated in direct competition with the NFL and held a separate draft. This led to a bidding war over top prospects between the two leagues. As part of the merger agreement on June 8, 1966, the two leagues would hold a multiple round "common draft". Once the AFL officially merged with the NFL in 1970, the "common draft" simply became the NFL draft.[2][3]

The first Connecticut player to be taken in the NFL draft was Walt Trojanowski in the sixth round of the 1946 NFL draft. From 1946–1994, the Huskies had fourteen players drafted into the NFL over the span of forty-eight years. The rate at which UConn alumni were selected would significantly increase following the Huskies' upgrade from Division I-AA to Division I-A in 2000.[6][Note 2] Beginning in 2005 and continuing through 2015, Connecticut has had twenty-five players picked over eleven NFL drafts. In 2009 four UConn alumni were taken in the first two rounds of the draft. The most Connecticut players to be selected in a single NFL draft was five in 2013, including three in the third round, one in the fourth round, and one in the sixth round.

Key[edit]

B Back K Kicker NT Nose tackle
C Center LB Linebacker FB Fullback
DB Defensive back P Punter HB Halfback
DE Defensive end QB Quarterback WR Wide receiver
DT Defensive tackle RB Running back G Guard
E End T Offensive tackle TE Tight end

Selections[edit]

Will Beatty
Will Beatty was the first UConn draftee to play for a Super Bowl-winning team: the 2011 New York Giants.[Note 3][Note 4]
Dan Orlovsky
Quarterback Dan Orlovsky was drafted in the 5th round in the 2005 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.[11]
Darius Butler
Darius Butler was the first UConn alumnus to be selected in the second round of the NFL draft, in 2009.

American Football League[edit]

Year Round Pick Overall Player Team[Note 5] Position Notes References
1963 4 3 27 John Contoulis New York Jets T [12][13]

National Football League[edit]

Year Round Pick Overall Player Team Position Notes References
1946 6 9 49 Walt Trojanowski Washington Redskins B
9 4 74 Walt Dropo Chicago Bears E [Note 6][Note 7] [16]
1947 24 9 224 Bill Moll New York Giants B
28 4 259 Milt Dropo Washington Redskins C [Note 7]
1958 18 5 210 Lenny King Washington Redskins B
1962 11 13 153 Dave Bishop New York Giants B
16 3 213 John Contoulis New York Giants T [12][13]
1971 4 24 102 Vince Clements Minnesota Vikings RB [17][18]
1974 11 12 272 Eric Torkelson Green Bay Packers RB [19][20]
1980 8 28 221 Ted Walton Pittsburgh Steelers DB
1984 4 15 99 John Dorsey Green Bay Packers LB [21][22]
1989 9 15 238 David Franks Seattle Seahawks G
1992 12 10 318 Cornelius Benton Seattle Seahawks G
1994 6 29 190 Paul Duckworth Green Bay Packers LB
2005 3 18 82 Alfred Fincher New Orleans Saints LB [23][24]
5 9 145 Dan Orlovsky Detroit Lions QB [25][26]
2007 6 21 195 Deon Anderson Dallas Cowboys RB [27][28]
2008 4 1 100 Tyvon Branch Oakland Raiders DB [29][30]
6 29 195 Donald Thomas Miami Dolphins G [31][32]
2009 1 27 27 Donald Brown Indianapolis Colts RB [1][33][34]
2 9 41 Darius Butler New England Patriots DB [35][36]
2 28 60 Will Beatty New York Giants T Super Bowl champion (XLVI)[8][Note 3] [8][37][38][39]
2 31 63 Cody Brown Arizona Cardinals LB [40][41]
2010 4 9 107 Marcus Easley Buffalo Bills WR [42][43]
7 42 249 Robert McClain Carolina Panthers DB [44][45]
2011 5 5 136 Anthony Sherman Arizona Cardinals FB Super Bowl champion (LIV)[46][47] [48][49]
6 1 166 Lawrence Wilson Carolina Panthers LB [50][51]
6 18 183 Jordan Todman San Diego Chargers RB [52][53]
7 34 237 Greg Lloyd Philadelphia Eagles LB [54][55]
2012 2 17 49 Kendall Reyes San Diego Chargers DT [56][57]
2013 3 2 64 Dwayne Gratz Jacksonville Jaguars DB [58][59]
3 4 66 Sio Moore Oakland Raiders LB [60][61]
3 8 70 Blidi Wreh-Wilson Tennessee Titans LB [62][63]
4 27 124 Trevardo Williams Houston Texans DE [64][65]
6 33 201 Ryan Griffin Houston Texans TE [66][67]
2014 7 5 220 Shamar Stephen Minnesota Vikings DT [68][69]
7 38 253 Yawin Smallwood Atlanta Falcons LB [70][71]
2015 1 27 27 Byron Jones Dallas Cowboys DB [72][73]
6 10 186 Geremy Davis New York Giants WR [74][75]
2017 2 24 56 Obi Melifonwu Oakland Raiders DB
2018 6 6 180 Folorunso Fatukasi New York Jets DT
2020 3 35 99 Matt Peart New York Giants T
2022 3 12 76 Travis Jones Baltimore Ravens DT

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Because of the NFL–AFL merger agreement, the history of the AFL is officially recognized by the NFL and therefore this list includes the AFL draft (1960–1966). The AFL and NFL held a common draft from 1967–1969; UConn had no players selected during that period.[2][3]
  2. ^ In August 2006 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) changed the name of Division I-A to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Division I-AA to Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).[7]
  3. ^ a b Beatty played the first ten games for the Giants during the 2011 season but after that was placed on injured reserve due to a detached retina. He did not play in Super Bowl XLVI.[8]
  4. ^ While Beatty was the first Connecticut draftee to play on a Super Bowl-winning team, he was not the first alumnus to be a Super Bowl champion. Nick Giaquinto went undrafted and subsequently won Super Bowl XVII with the Washington Redskins.[9][10]
  5. ^ This is the team that drafted the player, not the player's most recent team.
  6. ^ Walt Dropo was also selected 4th overall in the 1947 Basketball Association of America (BAA) draft by the Providence Steamrollers.[14] He elected to play in neither league and instead signed a free agent contract with Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox. He would be named American League Rookie of the Year in 1950.[15]
  7. ^ a b Walt and Milt Dropo were brothers.[15]

References[edit]

General

  • "UConn's NFL Draft History". www.uconnhuskies.com. University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  • "Connecticut Drafted Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.

Specific

  1. ^ a b c Perez, Joe (April 25, 2009). "NFL Draft: Brown heads UConn draft class". Norwich Bulletin. GateHouse Media, Inc. Archived from the original on April 19, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Cross, B. Duane (January 22, 2001). "The AFL: A Football Legacy". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
  3. ^ a b "NFL History by Decade: 1961–1970". NFL. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
  4. ^ Conner, Desmond (May 1, 2015). "UConn's Byron Jones Goes No. 27 To Dallas Cowboys". Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  5. ^ Clayton, John (March 26, 2009). "Draft order to change for playoff teams". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010.
  6. ^ Elsberry, Chris (December 30, 2010). "UConn's quick move to D-I success 'incomprehensible'". Connecticut Post. Hearst. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Albright, Dave (December 15, 2006). "NCAA misses the mark in Division I-AA name change". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on August 19, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c Borden, Sam (January 30, 2012). "Giants Leave the Injured Back at Home, for Now". New York Times. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  9. ^ Conner, Desmond (April 29, 2015). "UConn Football: Top 10 Players Drafted". Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  10. ^ Paxton, William S. (February 1, 2012). "Giaquinto savors his Super back-page moment". Connecticut Post. Hearst. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  11. ^ Conner, Desmond (October 4, 2014). "Former QB Orlovsky Not Pleased With How Far UConn Has Fallen". Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  12. ^ a b "John Contoulis NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  13. ^ a b "John Contoulis, DT at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  14. ^ "1947 BAA Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  15. ^ a b Amore, Don (December 18, 2010). "Walt Dropo Dies". Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  16. ^ Mayer, Larry (April 25, 2013). "These Bears draft picks gained fame in other areas". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on April 28, 2013. Walt Dropo (1946, 9th round), Walt Dropo, who declined to sign a contract with the Bears to pursue a baseball career...
  17. ^ "Vince Clements NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  18. ^ "Vince Clements, RB at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  19. ^ "Eric Torkelson NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  20. ^ "Eric Torkelson, RB at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  21. ^ "John Dorsey NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  22. ^ "John Dorsey, LB at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  23. ^ "Alfred Fincher NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  24. ^ "Alfred Fincher, LB at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  25. ^ "Dan Orlovsky NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  26. ^ "Dan Orlovsky, QB for the Detroit Lions at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  27. ^ "Deon Anderson NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  28. ^ "Deon Anderson, FB at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  29. ^ "Tyvon Branch NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  30. ^ "Tyvon Branch, DB for the Kansas City Chiefs at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  31. ^ "Donald Thomas NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  32. ^ "Donald Thomas, G for the Indianapolis Colts at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  33. ^ "Donald Brown NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  34. ^ "Donald Brown, RB for the San Diego Chargers at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  35. ^ "Darius Butler NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  36. ^ "Darius Butler, CB for the Indianapolis Colts at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  37. ^ "Eli Manning, Giants thwart Pats again to cap magical run with 4th Super Bowl title". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. February 6, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  38. ^ "Will Beatty NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  39. ^ "Will Beatty, T for the New York Giants at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  40. ^ "Cody Brown NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  41. ^ "Cody Brown, DE at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  42. ^ "Marcus Easley NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  43. ^ "Marcus Easley, WR for the Buffalo Bills at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  44. ^ "Robert McClain NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  45. ^ "Robert McClain, DB for the New England Patriots at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
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  48. ^ "Anthony Sherman NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  49. ^ "Anthony Sherman, FB for the Kansas City Chiefs at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  50. ^ "Lawrence Wilson NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  51. ^ "Lawrence Wilson, LB at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  52. ^ "Jordan Todman NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  53. ^ "Jordan Todman, RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  54. ^ "Greg Lloyd NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  55. ^ "Greg Lloyd, LB at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  56. ^ "Kendall Reyes NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  57. ^ "Kendall Reyes, DE for the San Diego Chargers at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  58. ^ "Dwayne Gratz NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
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  64. ^ "Trevardo Williams NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  65. ^ "Trevardo Williams, OLB for the Washington Redskins at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  66. ^ "Ryan Griffin NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  67. ^ "Ryan Griffin, TE for the Houston Texans at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  68. ^ "Shamar Stephen NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  69. ^ "Shamar Stephen, DT for the Minnesota Vikings at NFL.com". NFL. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  70. ^ "Yawin Smallwood NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
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  72. ^ "Byron Jones NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
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  74. ^ "Geremy Davis NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
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