My first year as a draft geek

The NFL Draft has become its own sporting event. In the past, I've watched ESPN's wall to wall coverage for two days with an occasional stopping point on my remote control, but this year will be different. In the previous six NFL drafts, we've had a grand total of two local players drafted (Derrick Hamilton to the 49ers and Robert Geathers, Junior to the Bengals). Now, this weekend promises to be an End Zone celebration. It looks as if six players from the Zone nation and maybe even the first Chanticleer will have their name on an index card in New York City.

Lawrence Timmons - Florida State (Wilson HS - 2003 WPDE Zoneman)
I know that he's going to have a lucrative and great career as an NFL linebacker, but I always thought he would be an elite tight end if he played on that side of the ball instead of defense. The mock drafts of the world have him slotted at Pittsburgh at #15, the Bengals at #18 or the Giants at #20. If he's around at 20, why wouldn't the G-men give him a try. The last time they drafted a linebacker out of Florence it worked out pretty well for them. He's got a bust in Canton now (Harry Carson).

Justin Durant - Hampton (Wilson HS - 2004 WPDE Zoneman Finalist)
Darryl Page has got to be the proudest person in the Pee Dee on April 28th. You can imagine the thrill of coaching a player who gets a player drafted in the NFL -- coach Page gets two guys who will likely get drafted in day one. Hags and I were always baffled that Justin was not recruited by South Carolina and Clemson. We always said that he was major Division I quality. The NFL scouts agree. It looks like he'll be a late 2nd round or 3rd round pick.

Fred Bennett - South Carolina (Manning - 2001 WPDE All-Zone)
Scouts look at character during all the pre-draft interviews and this, in my opinion, is Fred Bennett's biggest strength. He's such a class act off the field and got a lot of experience and insight from former Gamecocks Ko Simpson and Jonathan Joseph who are in the league right now. Fred should go in round three.

Brandon Frye - Virginia Tech (Myrtle Beach - 2001 WPDE All-Zone)
I always get a kick out of seeing the footage of Brandon when he was at our banquet and where he's at now in terms of size. You have to give a lot of credit to Scott Earley for seeing his potential and getting him to Division I at Virginia Tech. He's got pagan strength and I'm guessing he's going to have a very solid NFL career. It's looking like he'll be a round 4 selection.

Anthony Waters - Clemson (Lake View - 2001 WPDE Zoneman Finalist)
He's one of my all-time favorites. Whenever I went to a Clemson game, he made it a point to get fired up for our camera. He had a chance to leave after his junior season for the draft, but came back and tore his ACL in week one of his senior year. He's getting a college degree and has no regrets. He's going to probably be a day two pick, but whatever team picks him is going to get a steal. I'm hoping that his knee gets back to where it was, because if it does, he's going to be a great NFL player.

Syvelle Newton - South Carolina (Marlboro County - 2001 and 2002 WPDE Zoneman)
He's one of the most intriguing guys in the entire draft. His pro days were hampered by a hamstring injury so his stock isn't through the roof right now, but we all know that football is much more than running the 40 yard dash. I have to think that someone is going to take a late round chance on him. I can't wait to see how an NFL team will utilize Syvelle. He's going to be anxious to prove to everyone that he can play at the next level. When Syvelle is motivated, watch out.

Tyler Thigpen - Coastal Carolina
I've said this before in the office and people might have laughed at me six months ago -- if Tyler Thigpen was quarterback at Clemson, the Tigers would have won the Orange Bowl. Here's a guy who has greatly benefitted from three pro days (CCU, Clemson and SC State) to go along with individual workouts. Thig will get a contract as an undrafted free agent. That's a 100 percent guarantee, but thanks to some dazzling private workouts, it's become more and more of a possibility that he'll get drafted in the late rounds. The best case scenario is for Tyler to get an opportunity at an NFL camp and work his way up the depth chart and get some seasoning in NFL Europe.

It's going to be a banner weekend for the Zone nation. Like Mel Kiper and the rest of the draftniks, I'll be hanging on every pick from beginning to end hoping to hear some of our guys have their professional football dreams come true.