Analysts speculate big weekend for Spartans
Ryan Buchan
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Sports
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"I am full of excitement," said SJSU cornerback Christopher Owens. "I am doing something I want to do and love."
Head coach Dick Tomey said draft day is unpredictable.
"You never know what (NFL scouts) are thinking," said SJSU head coach Dick Tomey, after the team's pro day in March. "They could be thinking somebody is going to be drafted and they are going to play
and they won't get drafted at all. They think they are going to get drafted high and for some reason, that does not happen. So, it's just a very competitive thing."
The Spartans have not had four of more players drafted since 1983, when five players went to the NFL. That year, there were 12 rounds; the current draft has seven. The last time four SJSU players were selected within the first seven rounds was in 1962.
"This could be the biggest draft class in while," Owens said. "It is an honor to be mentioned with this type of praise."
Defensive lineman Jarron Gilbert is predicted by multiple sources, such as NFL.com and ESPN.com, to be the first Spartan picked in the draft.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports predicts Gilbert to go to the Tennessee Titans as the 30th pick in the draft. The last time an SJSU player was selected in the first round was in 1983, when Gill Byrd was drafted with the 22nd pick by the San Diego Chargers.
Gilbert led the nation in tackles-for-loss in 2008, with 22, and was named Western Athletic Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year.
"As a defensive back, he makes it easier for me," Owens said. "Playing with him has been phenomenal."
Gilbert originally played defensive end before making the full-time transition to defensive tackle last season.
NFL.com's draft tracker has Gilbert listed as a defensive end.
Gilbert is the son of former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Daren Gilbert.
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