Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 24, 1995 TAG: 9504250051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It took longer than they expected, but three area college football standouts finally got the phone calls they had been waiting on Sunday afternoon.
Two Virginia players - wide receiver Tyrone Davis and fullback Charles Way - and Virginia Tech linebacker Ken Brown were among 151 players selected Sunday on the second day of the 1995 NFL draft.
Davis and Brown didn't have to wait long after Round 4 started. Davis was the ninth player chosen Sunday, going to the New York Jets as the 107th pick overall. Brown's name was called 26th in the fourth round (124th overall) by the Denver Broncos.
Way was forced to sweat a little longer before being chosen in the sixth round (206th overall) by the New York Giants.
All three players expressed disappointment at not being among the 98 players selected in Saturday's first three rounds of the draft. Each confessed to spending a restless Saturday.
``It was a pretty rough night for me,'' said Davis, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound receiver from South Boston.
``I was really disappointed [Saturday] after seeing who got picked and where. I thought I'd be between a second- and third-round pick. I was rated the fifth- or sixth-best receiver. When it didn't happen, I was just hoping the call would come sometime [Sunday].''
Brown was chosen right where his agent, Rick Clark, predicted - smack in the middle of the draft board. Nevertheless, the 6-2, 240-pound All-Big East Conference performer had anticipated going in the third round.
``It's probably the difference of tens of thousands of dollars between going early- to mid-third to going late in the fourth,'' Brown said.
``Oh, well, I'm just glad it's over. My dream has come true.''
Way said: ``I thought I'd go earlier. I just kept watching TV, then it happened. I wasn't as publicized as a lot of folks, so I guess I can't complain.''
Of the trio, Davis might be heading into the best situation. The Jets are thin at wideout, especially after trading Rob Moore to Phoenix. The wide receivers on the Jets' roster as of Sunday combined for 16 receptions last season.
``This might work out best for me,'' said Davis, the first ACC wideout picked. ``Maybe if I go earlier somewhere else I wouldn't have a chance to play right away. It looks pretty wide-open with the Jets. Maybe not a starting job, but a lot of playing time anyway.
``I know I'm going to like New York. I think I'm better-suited to the big city. I don't like being from a small town.''
Brown said he didn't know a lot about the Broncos.
``They weren't one of my favorite teams growing up,'' he said. ``About the only one I know about is safety [Steve] Atwater. He was one of my favorite players in the pros.
``They called and said they needed linebackers. That's what I wanted to hear. I'm going to go in there and work hard. I'm very confident in my ability. I'm sure I can play in the NFL.''
Way, a strong blocker who ran for 1,330 yards and 20 touchdowns in his UVa career, goes to a Giants team that drafted Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley and acquired Herschel Walker.
``Still,'' said the Philadelphia native, ``[the Giants] need a true fullback and I'm a true fullback.
``I'll work my tail off and earn my spot. Challenging Walker will be fun. He's somebody I used to see and hear about. I saw him at Eagles games a lot.''
Tech wide receiver Antonio Freeman and UVa defensive end Mike Frederick didn't have to wait until Sunday. Both were selected late in Saturday's third round - Freeman 90th overall by Green Bay and Frederick 94th by Cleveland.
Freeman, whose 22 career touchdown catches are a Tech record, figures to get a good look with a Green Bay club without the services of injured All-Pro receiver Sterling Sharpe.
Frederick said he is looking forward to seeing Cleveland, especially the Browns' rowdy ``Dog Pound'' rooting section.
``I can't wait to get out there being part of all that,'' Frederick said. ``I went out [Sunday] and bought some Browns T-shirts and hats. Face it, there's not a lot of Browns' stuff out there. It's pretty plain, really.''
by CNB