Staff report
For only the third time in school history, two Appalachian State products were selected in an NFL Draft, as the Cincinnati Bengals picked safety Corey Lynch on Sunday with the 11th pick of the sixth round (177th overall) at Radio City Music Hall.
Lynch joins wide receiver Dexter Jackson, a second-round selection by Tampa Bay on Saturday, as Appalachian’s 2008 draftees.
Shortly following the conclusion of the draft, two former Mountaineers also agreed to terms with NFL teams as free agents. Offensive guard Kerry Brown agreed to join the Washington Redskins and place-kicker Julian Rauch came to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Only twice before have two Mountaineers been selected in the same NFL Draft ó 1990 (Derrick Graham and Keith Collins) and 1992 (Gary Dandridge and Mike Frier).
ASU’s first three-time All-American since Dexter Coakley (1994-96) and first four-time all-Southern Conference performer since Chip Hooks (1991-94), Lynch finished second in the voting for the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player in NCAA Division I FCS (Football Championship Subdivision ó formerly Division I-AA).
Lynch tied for sixth nationally with six interceptions in 2007 and is ASU’s all-time leader with 24 interceptions and sixth in tackles with 358.
The once unheralded recruit out of Cape Coral, Fla. is most known for blocking a 37-yard field goal attempt as time expired that sealed the Mountaineers’ 34-32 upset victory over Michigan.
Lynch perhaps cemented his position as a draftee when he completed the 20-yard shuttle run in 3.99 seconds at ASU’s Pro Day, a time faster than any recorded at the NFL Combine.
A 6-foot-6, 310-pound two-time All-American, Brown earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy ó awarded to the SoCon’s top offensive lineman.
A four-year starter and 2007 All-American, Rauch finished as App’s all-time leader in kick scoring (373 points) and extra points (247). He ranks second in field goals (42).