Boston College Athletics
Three Eagles Chosen in NFL Draft
May 01, 2006 | Football
April 30, 2006
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - Three Boston College football players - Mathias Kiwanuka, Jeremy Trueblood and Will Blackmon - were selected in the 71st annual National Football League Draft that was held on April 29-30 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Senior defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka was selected by the New York Giants in the first round (32nd pick); senior tackle Jeremy Trueblood was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round (59th pick); and defensive back/wide receiver Will Blackmon was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round (115th pick).
With the selection of these three players, there have now been 19 BC players selected in the NFL Draft since Tom O'Brien became the Eagles' head coach in 1997. Ten of the 19 players have been taken in the draft's first four rounds. Kiwanuka became the 13th player in Boston College history to be selected in the first round.
The last selection of the first round, Kiwanuka joins a franchise with many Boston College connections - president and chief executive officer John Mara '76, head coach Tom Coughlin (BC head coach, 1991-93), and players Tim Hasselbeck (BC 1997-00) and Chris Snee (2001-03).
Kiwanuka, a two-time All-America first-team selection by the American Football Coaches Association, set a school record with 37.5 quarterback sacks in 49 career games. The All-ACC first-team selection was the 12th ACC player selected in the first round, a new NFL Draft record by one conference.
Trueblood, an All-ACC second-team honoree, joins an illustrious group of former Boston College offensive linemen in the NFL. A three-year starter at left tackle, Trueblood was the second draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is the eighth offensive linemen to be selected in the NFL Draft during Tom O'Brien's tenure.
Blackmon was a fourth-round selection of the Green Bay Packers. A versatile athlete who did a little bit of everything for the Eagles, he brought his game-breaking ability to the offensive side of the ball as a senior. Blackmon finished his career with eight interceptions, six touchdowns (two on special teams), and a number of school kickoff return records.
Pat Ross, an All-ACC second-team honoree and three-year starter at center, signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Ross was the 2005 recipient of the Scanlan Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Boston College football player. Quinton Porter, who started 17 games at quarterback for the Eagles, signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans. Linebacker Ricky Brown, who finished his career with 184 tackles, signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders.
