Jermon Bushrod?s Facebook.com profile said it all. One message to the senior offensive tackle from Towson University simply read: “You got drafted before Troy Smith, that?s pretty awesome!”
Smith was last season?s Heisman Trophy winner, picked at No. 174 in the fifth round. Bushrod was chosen in the fourth round at No. 125. And the 13 years that elapsed since a Towson football player had been drafted only added to the excitement surrounding the New Orleans Saints? selection of Bushrod in last weekend?s NFL draft.
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“Jermon is an outstanding player and individual,” Towson coach Gordy Combs said in a release. “We?re very happy for him that he has been given a chance to play in the NFL. We know he?ll make the most of his opportunity.”
Three pages of messages left on Bushrod?s Facebook.com page were in congratulatory fashion, many pointing out the obvious: Bushrod will be blocking for Reggie Bush.
“It?s going to be an honor blocking for Reggie, Deuce [McAllister] or trying to protect Drew Brees,” Bushrod said.
Some questioned whether Bushrod ? at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds with a 4.9-second 40-yard-dash time ? would be best as a tackle or guard in the NFL.
“We see him as a tackle,” Saints coach Sean Payton said in an interview on the team?s Web site. “He is a big man with athletic ability who had a lot of success as a four-year starter. You are looking for big men like that can that move their feet and come into your program and learn.”
If it?s any indication of how willing Bushrod is to learn, he was heading to class Monday afternoon. His “sports sales and sponsorship” course came before continued celebration of becoming the highest-drafted player in Towson history.
Despite breaking new ground, Bushrod hasn?t been inundated with uncommon praise.
“They?re just giving me congratulations and their support,” Bushrod said of the Towson community. “Nothing off the wall.”
Bushrod was the first Tiger taken since 1994, when San Diego selected Tony Vinson, who later played for the Ravens, in the fifth round. David Meggett was chosen in the fifth round in 1989, while Randy Bielski became the first Towson player to be selected when he was taken in the 12th round of the 1980 draft.
