Spring Break
The Storrs Side: Draft day arrives for Huskies
Russell Blair
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Sports
Saturday is the day that Donald Brown, Darius Butler and Cody Brown have been waiting for their entire lives.
All three UConn football soon-to-be alums are expected to be picks on the first day of the NFL Draft, putting UConn on the map and shattering the record for the most Huskies picked in a single NFL Draft.
While there has been much speculation over who will be the first to go, there's a good chance UConn will see a player go off the board in the first round, maybe even to the local New England Patriots, who hold the No. 23 pick.
After leading the nation in rushing yards last season, Donald Brown became the first UConn player to declare for the draft, leaving the team after three years of eligibility. Regardless of where he goes, Brown will bring not only an NFL style skill set but a tremendous work ethic and the type of player who is unlikely to get in trouble off the field.
Butler may very well be one of the best cornerbacks to come through UConn in head coach Randy Edsall's 10 years at the helm. Quite a feat considering Edsall prides himself on his defensive players and was a defensive backs coach at his alma mater Syracuse. Butler ran a blistering 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at UConn's Pro Day and has the ability to be a shutdown corner at the next level. When you throw in the fact that he saw some series at wide receiver his senior season, he becomes that much more of a complete package.
Last but not least, Cody Brown is a physical beast and racked up 7.5 sacks in his senior campaign. The 6-foot-2, 244 pound defensive end will likely make the switch to outside linebacker at the next level but with a 4.76 40-yard dash he has shown he has the speed to outside in the 3-4 in the NFL.
All three UConn football soon-to-be alums are expected to be picks on the first day of the NFL Draft, putting UConn on the map and shattering the record for the most Huskies picked in a single NFL Draft.
While there has been much speculation over who will be the first to go, there's a good chance UConn will see a player go off the board in the first round, maybe even to the local New England Patriots, who hold the No. 23 pick.
After leading the nation in rushing yards last season, Donald Brown became the first UConn player to declare for the draft, leaving the team after three years of eligibility. Regardless of where he goes, Brown will bring not only an NFL style skill set but a tremendous work ethic and the type of player who is unlikely to get in trouble off the field.
Butler may very well be one of the best cornerbacks to come through UConn in head coach Randy Edsall's 10 years at the helm. Quite a feat considering Edsall prides himself on his defensive players and was a defensive backs coach at his alma mater Syracuse. Butler ran a blistering 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at UConn's Pro Day and has the ability to be a shutdown corner at the next level. When you throw in the fact that he saw some series at wide receiver his senior season, he becomes that much more of a complete package.
Last but not least, Cody Brown is a physical beast and racked up 7.5 sacks in his senior campaign. The 6-foot-2, 244 pound defensive end will likely make the switch to outside linebacker at the next level but with a 4.76 40-yard dash he has shown he has the speed to outside in the 3-4 in the NFL.
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