Associated Press
The regional roundup …
HOUSTON ó The Houston Texans have taken North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates in the fifth round of the NFL draft, snapping a string of defensive selections.
The Texans used the 152nd overall pick to nab Yates. He’s the sixth quarterback drafted by Houston and the first since Alex Brink was taken in the seventh round in 2008.
Yates said earlier he was shocked to see that no North Carolina quarterback had played in the pros since 1980. Now, he has his chance.
LITTLE TO BROWNS
BEREA, Ohio ó The Cleveland Browns got a target for quarterback Colt McCoy in the third round of the NFL Draft, selecting North Carolina wide receiver Greg Little, who missed last season while serving an NCAA suspension.
The Browns used the No. 59 overall pick on Little, a 6-foot-2, 230-pounder. He was suspended in 2010 for accepting improper benefits. A playmaking wide receiver was a glaring need for the Browns, who will be running a West Coast offense next season under new coach Pat Shurmur.
CARTER TO COWBOYS
IRVING, Tex. ó Bruce Carter, a speedy linebacker from North Carolina coming off a torn left ACL, was the 40th overall pick in the second round and Murray was selected 71st overall.
ECUíS HARRIS
East Carolina receiver Dwayne Harris was the 176th overall pick in the sixth round, ging to Dallas.. Harris had more than 6,300 all-purpose yards in college. Harris can reeturn kicks and punts.
Harris is the eighth ECU receiver in history to be drafted and immediately follows defensive end C.J. Wilson, who was taken by the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of last year’s draft after defensive tackle Linval Joseph and punter Matt Dodge were selected earlier by the New York Giants.
The Pirates have had at least one player chosen in the last six consecutive years and in 17 of the past 22 drafts.
In the East Carolina career record books, Harris established program-best marks for receptions (268) and receiving yards (3,001) and is the only Pirate to ever surpass even the 2,000-yard milestone.