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I-35 Area TXHSFB Alums Hear Name At NFL Draft In Sports' Short Return
Interstate 35 is one of the most important roads in the United States because it connects six American states (Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas) and gives the country another entrance into North American neighbor Mexico. Significant metropolitan areas have also developed along it, so there's enough talent and competition to prepareathletes for the highest levels of sport. That was evident in the 2020 NFL Draft because15 of Texas' 33 high school alums-turned draft picks came from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex or the Austin and San Antonio areas of the state.
COVID-19 has cancelled and postponed many events, but the NFL found a safe way to host its annual draft on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The highly anticipated three-day event featured a new virtual format that allowed it to go on as scheduled. It also provided sports fans with an important sense of hope and gave them the opportunity to cheer for their favorite teams and college players.
For Texas, there was a lot of celebration for the draft picks that previously competed near the highway. The first large in-state area you come across when you travel north to south on it is the Metroplex, which produced a dozen draft picks from its boatload of high school alums.DeSoto recorded two draft pick graduates over the weekend in Laviska Shenault (2nd Round, Pick 42 forJacksonville Jaguars) and James Proche (6th Round, Pick 201 forBaltimore Ravens), while South Grand Prairie'sJeffrey Okudah (Pick 3) and Waxahachie's Jalen Reagor (Pick 21) were first round selections for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
On the second day, the Baltimore Ravens drafted a pair of North Texas athletes in the third round.McKinney North's Justin Madubuike heard his name called with the 71st pick andSachse's Devin Duvernay was later announced at pick 92.
The third day began with the fourth round of the draft, which saw Cleburne's Reggie Robinson II go 123rd to the Dallas Cowboys. Then, Cedar Hill's Trevis Gipson (Pick 155 for Chicago Bears) and Arlington Martin's Jason Huntley (Pick 172 for Detroit Lions) followed in the fifth round, the Cincinnati Bengals grabbedGarland's Hakeem Adeniji with the 180th pick in the sixth round, and Wylie East's Eno Benjamin (Pick 222 for Arizona Cardinals)and Mansfield Summit's Vernon Scott (Pick 236 for Green Bay Packers) were included in the seventh round.
The next notable area along I-35 is Central Texas. Before you arrive in Austin, you'll reach two important stops on future Minnesota VikingJames Lynch's journey to the 130th pick in the fourth round of this year's NFL Draft. They include the towns of Waco and Round Rock, where he played for Baylor University and Round Rock High School. The region was also put on the map when the Baltimore Ravens made La Grange's J. K. Dobbins a second round draft pick at 55th overall.
Then, the road extends to the South Texas cities of San Antonio and Laredo before reaching the United States/Mexico international border. The Alamo City area producedConverse Judson's Alton Robinson, who was picked up by the Seattle Seahawkswith the 148th pick in the fifth round.
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The Top 10 DFW prospects coming off NFL Draft board
With the NFL Draft just a few days away, VYPE ranks the top DFW prospect in order of when their name will be called starting this Thursday.
There could be as many as four within the first three rounds and 10-12 drafted overall. There will also be a dozen free agent signees.
DFW's strength this year is in the skill positions with eight out of the 10 either DB, WR or RB.
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No. 1 Jeff Okudah, South Grand Prairie, Ohio State, DB
No-brainer Top 5 pick, He's a special cover-man who is also physical.
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No. 2 Jalen Reagor, Waxahachie, TCU, WR
Reagor's name is getting more buzz lately in a DEEP WR class. Top 50 pick.
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No. 3 Devin Duvernay, Sachse, Texas, WR
This kid just makes plays. Very physical WR, decent speed, elite hands. Will be taken within Top 64 picks.
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No. 4 Eno Benjamin, Wylie East, Arizona State, RB
Running backs not always at a premium, but Eno is probably in the first handful of RB's off board. Will be taken within Top 64 picks.
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No. 5 Hakeem Adeniji, Garland, Kansas, OL
Good athleticism for the big-man. Could be early third-rounder.
No. 6 James Proche, DeSoto, SMU, WR
Deep WR draft could drop DeSoto star to third round.
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No. 7 Trevis Gipson, Cedar Hill, Tulsa, DT
Everyone needs DL. He's not elite but has worked himself into Round 4.
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No. 8 AJ Green, DeSoto, Oklahoma State, DB
Rangy DB who played in pass-happy Big 12. Round 4.
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No. 9 JR Reed, Prestonwood Christian, Georgia, DB
Had good career in the SEC. Has seen top-flight offenses. Round 5.
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No. 10 Demarkus Acy, Wilmer-Hutchins, Missouri, DB
See above... Round 5.
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