Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / April 16, 1992, edition 2 / Page 4
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NFL DRAFT PREVIEW Could this be the year for the Fab 4? Think, about this. Fotar players from pre dominantly black schools could be taken in the first round of the *92 NFL Draft that will take place in New York on April 26 and 27. When was the last time that happened? It was 74, when defenSiV&n<&Kl Ed Jones of Tennessee State was selected by the Dallas Cowboys (as the first overall pick of the draft), linebacker Waymond Bryant of Ten nessee Stale by the Chicago Bears, defensive lineman Don Reese of Jackson State by the Miami Dolphins and Henry Lawrence of Florida A&M by the then Oakland Raiders. This time, the foursome could be Ash ley Ambrose, a comerback from Mississippi Valley State, Jimmy Smith, a wide receiver from Jackson State, Robert Harris, a defen sive end from Southern University, and Robert Porcher, a defensive end from South Carolina State. In fact, there could be among as many as 30 to 35 players from predominantly black schools selected in the draft Why so many this year? "Maybe kids are just going back to black schools," said Samuel Jefferson, Jack son State sports information director. "I haven't done a survey or anything, but if they are, I certainly am not complaining." And neither would the coaches. Ambrose, 5-10, 168, runs a 42 in the 40 and played well against major college com petition in the Senior Bowl. During the regu lar season, he intercepted three passes agaihst Southern and finished his career with 110 tackles, 15 interceptions and 40 pass break-ups. He's also a dynamite punt return er. "Talent-wise he has the equipment," said Dick Daniels, assistant general manager of the San Diego Chargers. "What's going to hurt him is the level of competition, coming from a small school." (Valley State could have three-fourths of its defensive backfield selected in the draft, the others being safeties James Williams and Everett Nicholas). Smith, 6-0 1/2, 200, runs a 4^ in the 40. Cut in the mold of former Jackson State receiver Tim Bamett, now with the Kansas Oty Chiefs, Smith caught 10 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown against Delaware State, in spite of missing a full quarter due to injury. Mel Kiper Jr., author of 1992 Draft Report, wrote that "Jimmy is a fine athlete with Andre Reed-type skills in the open field after the catch ? He tries to milk every inch out of the play, making defenders miss as well as any wide receiver in the draft" Harris, 6-4, 289, runs a 4.8, 40, which is an exceptional time for a guy his size. Said the Baltimore-based Kiper, "If clubs shy away from Robert in the first round because he is a little raw and hails from a small school, they will likely regret that decision in the years to come. I can't siy enough about the exciting pro potential he has displayed. It will come as no surprise to me if this young Robert Porches uncanny ability to put the heat on enemy quarterbacks makes him an^a^v^cM^t^'FL0'^ man develops into a Pro Bowl performer by his third year in the NFL.1* Porcher, 6-4, 268, runs 4.99 in the 40. He's not fast, but is ultra quick. Check out his senior season stats: MEAC Defensive Player Of The Year, 88 tackles, nine tackles for losses, eight fumble recoveries and 15 sacks. That last stat is the eye-catcher. Pass rushing specialists are highly coveted in the NFL. Said Florida A&M center Wally Williams, who faced Porcher. He's a come get-you-type player. He lets you know that he's coming. I respect him. "He's very quick right off the ball. When we played him, he lined up over every offensive lineman at some point He beat me a couple of times and I got him a few times. When he did beat me, it was noticeable." Other players to watch in the draft are: Ronald Humphrey, Mississippi Valley State running back; Derrick Ned, Grambling running back; Iterance Small, Alcorn State wide receiver, Nate Singleton, Grambling wide receiver, Chris Holder, Tuskegee wide receiver, Cedric Tillman, Alcorn State wide receiver, Harold Heath, Jackson State tight end; Larry Tharpe, Tennessee State offensive tackle; James Brown, Virginia State tackle; Tracy Boyd, Elizabeth City State guard; John Terry, Livingstone College offensive tackle; Dietrich Lockeridge, Jackson State guard; Charles Hope, Central State guard; Elliot Pilton, Tennessee State defensive end; Bernard Wilson, Tennessee State defensive tackle; Eddie Robinson, Alabama State inside linebacker, Kevin Little, North Caroli na A&T outside linebacker, Lloyd Straugh ter, Jackson State outside linebacker, and 'Gregg Briggs, Texas Southern safety. Humphrey, 5-11, 200, has 4.45 speed in the 40 and gained 600 yards rushing in his final season with the Delta Devils. "Definite- - ly shows a great deal of raw, physical talent, but is still in the developmental stage," Kiper wrote in his draft analysis. "He's far from being considered a finished product" Ned, a 6-0 1/4, 205 -pounder with a 4.67 clocking in the 40, "has the size and strength to project as a small fullback," Kiper said. "He shows some initial quickness and is a proven receiver with quite a pair erf hands." Small (6-3 1/4, 197) runs 4.59 in the 40. As a senior, he caught 55 passes for seven touchdowns and averaged 20 yards per catch. "He plays a great deal faster than his 40 lime," Kiper wrote. "He improved his draft position by at least two or three rounds with his effort in Mobile [at the Senior Bowl]. The 5-11, 184-pounds Singleton has
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April 16, 1992, edition 2
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