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In the unending quest by the NFL and sports cable networks to make football the first true year-round sport, we have been inundated with coverage of the NFL Draft since the Super Bowl ended. If you have managed to get off the grid, first, congratulations and second, that draft is tomorrow. While we will look forward to who might get picked from the Cincinnati Bearcats tomorrow, today is a day to remember. So let’s go back 10 years and look at who from UC was taken in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Before we do that, here are some highlights from the draft. Matt Ryan was selected third overall out of Boston College by the Atlanta Falcons after Jake Long and Chris Long went No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. In the second round, Jordy Nelson went 36th overall, Matt Forte went 44th and DeSean Jackson went 49th.
Haruki Nakamura - Sixth Round, Pick 206 Overall, Baltimore Ravens
After a first-team All-Big East season in 2007, Nakamura was obviously one of the best players for the 10-3 Bearcats. He recorded 94 tackles and snagged four interceptions, while also being a solid punt returner. He finished his career with seven interceptions and 237 total tackles. That piqued the Ravens’ interest, and they selected him with the second-to-last pick in the sixth round.
During his professional career, Nakamura played in 69 games, spending his first four seasons with Baltimore and the 2012 campaign with the Carolina Panthers. He actually started 13 games at free safety for the Panthers and did UC proud, bringing in two interceptions, four passes defended and 28 total tackles. However, a concussion during the 2013 preseason led to the end of his NFL career. He finished with 46 career tackles, two picks and seven passes defended, as well as one forced fumble.
Angelo Craig - Seventh Round, Pick 244 overall, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have used their proximity to the Bearcats to make more than a few selections in their history. Craig, a defensive lineman, joined that brotherhood when he was selected with the 244th pick in the 2008 draft. He never really caught on though, as he was released by the Bengals, Panthers and New England Patriots within the next year before going off to try to play in the Canadian Football League.