April 21, 2002
By Adam Porcelli
The University of Notre Dame had six players selected Saturday and Sunday in the 2002 National Football League draft. Saturday, defensive lineman Anthony Weaver was the first Irish player selected in the second round (52nd selection overall) by the Baltimore Ravens. The other Irish players selected in this year’s draft were: linebacker Rocky Boiman (Tennessee Titans, fourth round, 133rd selection overall), tight end John Owens (Detroit Lions, fifth round, 138th pick overall), linebacker Tyreo Harrison (Philadelphia Eagles, sixth round, 198th pick overall), wide receiver Javin Hunter (Baltimore Ravens, sixth round, 206th overall), and wide receiver David Givens (New England Patriots, seventh round, 253rd overall).
The following is a brief biography on each player, as well as his thoughts on the weekend’s draft and his new team.
Anthony Weaver-Baltimore Ravens
(Second Round, 52nd selection overall)
One of four team captains for Notre Dame in 2001, Weaver was voted as the team most valuable player and was a starter for four seasons. He was honored as a second-team All-American by ABC Sports Online and was named an honorable mention All-American by Football News. He was also named to collegefootballnews.com all-independent team. This former Notre Dame defensive line leader will bring physical toughness, quickness, and good pass rushing abilities with him to the next level.
Weaver was unavailable for comment.
Rocky Boiman-Tennessee Titans
(Fourth Round, 133rd selection overall)
In 2001, Boiman served as one of four team captains for Notre Dame and was named to collegefootballnews.com all-independent team. Boiman came to Notre Dame as a free safety, but was moved to linebacker and made a successful transition. He became an important player in pass coverage situations, becoming an impressive pass-rusher. Along with his field skills, he will bring a passionate attitude filled with enthusiasm to the next level. Boiman will graduate in May with a degree in pre-professional studies from the College of Arts and Letters.
Boiman on being selected:
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet. I am filled with excitement and am still getting used to the feeling of being drafted. I am glad the process is over and that now I can worry about the fun part, playing. It is not easy to just sit and watch the players before you getting picked, but I am very happy with where I was picked. I watched all day yesterday hoping to get chosen, but I felt realistically that I would get picked on the second day. I thought I might be able to sneak into the fourth round, so I was thrilled when I saw where I was picked.”
Boiman on being chosen by the Tennessee Titans:
“I am real happy to be going to a team like the (Tennessee) Titans. They are making some positive moves and are in the process of making some changes on defense that I look forward to being a part of. It is great to be going to a team that is already successful and is doing what they can to further improve the team. I am a fan of how they are doing things and I am happy to be a Titan.”
Boiman on where he sees himself fitting in:
“Right away, I think I can play and contribute on special teams. From there, I just want to continue to learn and improve so I can work my way into more playing time. I am looking forward to getting involved with the team.”
John Owens-Detroit Lions
(Fifth Round, 138th selection overall)
After playing mostly at defensive end in his first three seasons, Owens started at tight end in all of Notre Dame’s eleven games in 2001. He made the transition to tight end a successful one, making six receptions for 79 yards last season. He possesses good receiving skills, size, and a great attitude. Owens will graduate in May with a degree in management information systems from the Mendoza College of Business.
Owens on being selected:
“I don’t know what else to say other than I am very happy and excited right now. I am happy with where I was picked in the draft and feel fortunate to have been given this great opportunity. I look forward to being able to move on to the next level and I hope to be able to contribute to my team.”
Owens on playing in Detroit:
“I have not talked with the team in too much detail about playing. I was told that the team has three tight ends right now, but I will have an equal opportunity to win the starting job. I just want to do my best in camp and do whatever it takes to get some playing time. I am happy to have an opportunity to be a part of this team.”
Owens on being selected by Detroit:
“The Detroit coaching staff showed interest in me from the beginning. I was not too worried about where I was going to be picked because I felt it was a matter of time before they picked me. It made it a lot easier for me because I did not sit and dwell about where and when I would go. I am happy that they wanted me and look forward to going to Detroit.”
Tyreo Harrison-Philadelphia Eagles
(Sixth Round, 198th selection overall)
A starter in all eleven games for Notre Dame in 2001, Harrison led the Irish with 97 tackles in 2001. He was named an honorable mention All-American by Football News and was named to collegefootballnews.com all-independent team. He was also the winner of the Notre Dame Nick Pietrosante Award given to the Irish player who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and pride shown by the late Irish All-America fullback by vote of his teammates. This former anchor of the Irish defense, is a tough, physical player. Harrison will graduate in May from the Mendoza College of Business with a degree in finance.
Harrison on his selection:
“I am happy I finally got picked. I was expecting to go in the fourth or fifth round, but when I saw few inside linebackers being picked early on, I knew I would drop and go later in the draft. Once the fifth round was over, I just wanted to get picked. I was so excited when it finally happened. I am happy to be one of the guys who was drafted.”
Harrison on going to Philadelphia:
“I actually wasn’t even at the television when the selection was made. I heard from the other room that Philadelphia had acquired the current pick from Washington so I thought it was possible they did so to fill a need. All of a sudden the phone rang, it actually took me a little while to realize I was talking to Philadelphia. I am glad to be going to Philadelphia because I have a chance to fill a need for them”.
Harrison on where he will play:
“I will go there and compete for a back-up linebacker position and play a special teams role. Right now, I am just concerned with getting ready for mini-camp. I am not thinking beyond the immediate future. I want to think about doing what it takes to make the team and get a chance to play.”
Javin Hunter-Baltimore Ravens
(Sixth Round, 206th selection overall)
Hunter was a primary target for the Notre Dame offense in 2001. Starting at split end for the Irish in all eleven games, Hunter led Notre Dame in receptions with 37 for 387 yards. He is a talented receiver who is a deep threat with great ability. A natural athlete, he will bring his quickness and excellent hands to the next level. Hunter will graduate in May from the College of Arts and Letters with a degree in economics.
Hunter on the selection process:
“It was very frustrating because today (Sunday) I thought that I was going to be taken in the fourth round by Kansas City. They had called and told me that they were looking to take me at that spot. Once that didn’t happen, it became more nerve-racking because of the uncertainty of where I would land. I happy I was picked, though, and glad that Baltimore is giving me a chance to show what I can do.”
Hunter on where he will fit:
“I think getting picked by Baltimore is perfect for me. I will come in as fourth on the depth chart and will have a chance to compete for their third wide receiver spot. I am being given an opportunity to play with a successful team and in a great city. I am looking forward to this challenge and opportunity to contribute to the Ravens.”
David Givens-New England Patriots
(Seventh Round, 253rd selection overall)
Another of Notre Dame’s four team captains in 2001, Givens is a multi-dimensional player. Givens was not only a talented receiver during his years with the Irish, he was also a rusher and passer, as well as an excellent player both at returning and blocking kicks. He is a great athlete who is comfortable at any position on the field. He is a player with great hands and physical toughness who is a proven playmaker.
Givens was unavailable for comment.