Brown, Branson go undrafted

The wait for the NFL will have to wait for former University of Central Arkansas quarterback Nathan Brown. Brown, the most prolific passer in Arkansas collegiate football history, was not selected in the 2009 NFL draft and will have to rely on free agency if he is to play in the NFL.

Several draft anaylsts projected Brown to go between the 5th and 7th rounds. However, he is one of several quarterbacks who has yet to find a home with a professional team.

Also on the list of undrafted quarterbacks are Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, Alabama's John Parker Wilson and Clemson's Cullen Harper.

The Southland Conference had one quarterback drafted, as Sam Houston State's Rhett Bhomar was picked 151st overall by the New York Giants.

Former University of Central Arkansas running back Bernard Scott was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as the 36th pick in the sixth round. Scott, who finished his career at Abilene Christian, won the Harlon Hill Award last year as the outstanding player in NCAA Division II football.

At UCA, he once earned Newcomer of the Year in the Gulf South Conference.

Other players from schools in Arkansas that were drafted this year include Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs (106th overall by Cincinnati) and Arkansas State tight end David Johnson (241st overall by Pittsburgh).

Brown and former UCA tight end Marquez Branson were both candidates for the draft, and will both have to wait to see if any teams want to give them an opportunity. Brown passed for more than 10,000 yards and threw for 100 touchdowns in his career with the Bears.

There have been several players who were passed up in the NFL Draft who ended up having stellar careers. San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was passed by NFL teams in 2003, but was signed by the San Diego following a tryout. He has been selected to five Pro Bowls, and is a three-time All Pro selection (2004, 2005, and 2006).

Other top names that were undrafted include Hall of Famer Dick "Night Train" Lane and Willie Brown, who had a 75-yard touchdown return for an interception in Super Bowl XI for the Oakland Raiders against the Minnesota Vikings.

Former Kansas City Chief Priest Holmes, New England wide receiver Wes Welker, Indianapolis kicker Adam Vinateri, Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker and Dallas quarterback Tony Romo were also undrafted.

See more in a future edition of The Log Cabin Democrat