Tennessee State University All-American defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was selected 16th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft on Saturday.
He is the first OVC player selected in the first round since EKU's Aaron Jones was taken No. 18 overall in 1988, and the highest since Morehead State quarterback and Hall of Famer Phil Simms was taken No. 7 overall in 1979.
Entering the draft ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had him ranked 13th on his Big Board. Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks had him going 20th overall. Scout.com had him being selected 11th overall. Rodgers-Cromartie took part in the unpredictable real life drama this weekend also known as 2008 NFL Draft and was selected in the first round.
The TSU cornerback had some great performances in his post season workouts and became one of the hottest names in the draft in recent weeks causing his draft stock to skyrocket. By being selected in the first round, Rodgers-Cromartie became the first player from a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) school taken in the opening round since 2000 when Jackson State had both Sylvester Morris and Rashard Anderson taken in the first 32 picks.
Interestingly enough the 2000 draft also was the last time a TSU player was drafted by the NFL when Michael Thompson and Avion Black were both taken in the fourth round.
Rodgers-Cromartie becomes the first Tiger selected in first round since 1974 when Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Waymond Bryant were selected first and fourth overall, respectively.
DRC is coming off a season in which he had three returns for touchdowns (2 interceptions, 1 kick return), 1,016 all-purpose yards, and blocked four kicks. For his career at TSU, which included a streak of 38 consecutive starts, he had 11 interceptions, 25 pass break ups, 158 tackles, and six returns for touchdown. Rodgers-Cromartie was also a standout track athlete while at Tennessee State. During his track career he won three indoor and one outdoor event titles at the Ohio Valley Conference championships. He was also awarded the 2007 OVC Indoor Championship MVP award.
All-Time OVC First Round Draft Picks
1973 - Wally Chambers, Eastern Kentucky (No. 8, Chicago)
1979 - Phil Simms, Morehead State (No. 7, New York)
1988 - Aaron Jones, Eastern Kentucky (No. 18, Pittsburgh)
2008 - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State (No. 16, Arizona)