Spring Break
Seven Beavers drafted to NFL
Terry Horstman
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Sports
It was a record-setting day for the Oregon State football team as seven former Beavers got phone calls from NFL head coaches during the exciting NFL Draft weekend. Many Beaver players are headed to destinations where they'll not only play but have a chance to make quite an impact as well. Here's a look at the next set of Beavers moving onto the next level:
Second round, 51st overall: The Buffalo Bills select offensive tackle Andy Levitre. Levitre was the only Beaver selected on day one of the draft but got selected into a great situation. After signing Terrell Owens, the Bills are looking to make a run at it this year and shored up their O-line with the selection of Levitre. The former Beaver will most likely move to guard for the Bills and pave the way for the inside running game of fellow Pac-10 playmaker Marshawn Lynch.
Third round, 96th overall: The Pittsburgh Steelers select cornerback Keenan Lewis. Lewis was the first of many defenders for the orange and black taken on the draft's second day. The ball-hawking corner was well-rewarded for his spectacular senior season by getting drafted into a dream situation with the defending Super Bowl champions. Steeler head coach Mike Tomlin is a former defensive back himself and felt Lewis was one of the more underrated players in the draft. Don't be surprised to see Lewis thrive at the next level simply because he's a defensive back who plays for the best defensive back factory in the NFL.
Fourth round, 110th overall: The Dallas Cowboys select defensive end Victor Butler. Butler's monster senior season landed him a spot in Big D, where he will compete for playing time in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense. Butler draws comparisons to Cowboy pro-bowler DeMarcus Ware, so playing on the same team as Ware should help Butler elevate his game from All Pac-10 to All Pro.
Fourth round, 126th overall: The Oakland Raiders select defensive end Slade Norris. It didn't take too long for Butler's partner in crime to come off the board as the Raiders made one of their few selections that actually made sense this weekend in grabbing the terrific pass rusher out of Oregon State. Norris will more than likely move to outside linebacker, as he's a tad undersized for D-line at the next level. If Norris can adapt to playing behind the big boys up front and coming off the corner, he'll have a tremendous chance to excel, but he'll be playing for Al Davis, who seems to have something against letting players excel. That may hold him back a bit.
Second round, 51st overall: The Buffalo Bills select offensive tackle Andy Levitre. Levitre was the only Beaver selected on day one of the draft but got selected into a great situation. After signing Terrell Owens, the Bills are looking to make a run at it this year and shored up their O-line with the selection of Levitre. The former Beaver will most likely move to guard for the Bills and pave the way for the inside running game of fellow Pac-10 playmaker Marshawn Lynch.
Third round, 96th overall: The Pittsburgh Steelers select cornerback Keenan Lewis. Lewis was the first of many defenders for the orange and black taken on the draft's second day. The ball-hawking corner was well-rewarded for his spectacular senior season by getting drafted into a dream situation with the defending Super Bowl champions. Steeler head coach Mike Tomlin is a former defensive back himself and felt Lewis was one of the more underrated players in the draft. Don't be surprised to see Lewis thrive at the next level simply because he's a defensive back who plays for the best defensive back factory in the NFL.
Fourth round, 110th overall: The Dallas Cowboys select defensive end Victor Butler. Butler's monster senior season landed him a spot in Big D, where he will compete for playing time in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense. Butler draws comparisons to Cowboy pro-bowler DeMarcus Ware, so playing on the same team as Ware should help Butler elevate his game from All Pac-10 to All Pro.
Fourth round, 126th overall: The Oakland Raiders select defensive end Slade Norris. It didn't take too long for Butler's partner in crime to come off the board as the Raiders made one of their few selections that actually made sense this weekend in grabbing the terrific pass rusher out of Oregon State. Norris will more than likely move to outside linebacker, as he's a tad undersized for D-line at the next level. If Norris can adapt to playing behind the big boys up front and coming off the corner, he'll have a tremendous chance to excel, but he'll be playing for Al Davis, who seems to have something against letting players excel. That may hold him back a bit.
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