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News Nuggets, 04.24.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Six C-USA, Carolinas players taken on draft's first day

Senior wide receiver Roddy White became UAB's second-ever first round draft choice when he was chosen No. 27 overall by the Atlanta Falcons as the 2005 National Football League draft got underway on Saturday.

White, who watched the draft from his home in Charleston, SC, joins former Blazer defensive end Bryan Thomas as the school's only first-rounders. Thomas was the No. 22 pick of the New York Jets in the 2002 NFL draft.

The draft calls were generally sparse for players from Conference USA and Carolinas teams on the draft's first day, with only six players collectively from those schools being selected during the three rounds.

Players from C-USA and North Carolina and South Carolina teams taken during the first three rounds:

• Troy Williamson, junior wide receiver, South Carolina (1st round, 7th pick overall, by the Minnesota Vikings)

• Roddy White, senior wide receiver, UAB (1st round, 27th pick overall, by the Atlanta Falcons)

• Eric Shelton, junior running back, Louisville (2nd round, 54th pick overall, by the Carolina Panthers)

• Justin Miller, junior cornerback, Clemson (2nd round, 57th pick overall, by the New York Jets;

• Chris Colmer, senior offensive tackle, N.C. State (3rd round, 91st pick overall, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• Leroy Hill, senior outside linebacker, Clemson (3rd round, 98th pick overall, by the Seattle Seahawks).

White was UAB's leading receiver in each of the past three seasons and finished his college career with his best campaign in 2004, earning first-team All-Conference USA honors and third-team Associated Press All-America recognition.

White compiled eight games for more 100 yards in receiving last season, including seven of the last eight. His 253 receiving yards vs. Tulane last October were the most in the country last season. He finished the 2004 season with a 20.5 yards per catch average after a mark of 21.6 yards per reception as a junior.

For his career, White finished with 163 receptions for 3,112 yards and 26 touchdowns. His career average per catch was 19.1 yards.

The player with the distinction of being the top pick in the 2005 NFL draft was junior quarterback Alex Smith of Utah, who was snatched up to kick off Saturday's first round by the San Francisco 49ers.

The final four rounds of the draft will be conducted on Sunday.

Houston inks Penders to new long-term pact

HOUSTON — Tom Penders has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him as Houston's basketball coach through 2010, school officials said last week.

Penders will receive $350,000 per season plus incentives, Houston sports information director Rick Poulter said.

The basic pay package is $50,000 more per year than the original five-year deal Penders signed when he arrived at Houston last season.

Houston went 18-12 in its first season under Penders, who was hired in hopes of restoring the once powerful basketball program.

The 18 victories were more than the Cougars had in their previous two seasons combined.

Penders also coached at Tufts, Columbia, Fordham, Rhode Island and Texas..

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:23 PM