A look at best, worst drafts for UNT over past decade

[Harry]

The NFL draft begins on Thursday, which brings into focus one of the more baffling streaks in the recent history of UNT athletics.

Yep, were talking the Mean Green’s draft drought.

The Dallas Morning News is looking back at the draft history of each of the schools in its coverage area today, including UNT.

One problem: The last player UNT had drafted was Cody Spencer back in 2004 after he helped lead the Mean Green to their first three appearances in the New Orleans Bowl. UNT’s bowl run lasted one more year after Spencer was selected with the sixth round by the Oakland Raiders.

Spencer went on to play five seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans.

Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/04/a-look-at-best-worst-drafts-for-unt-over-past-decade-plus-a-year.html/

[UNTLifer]

It is funny that our most successful professionals, in recent years, have been undrafted free agents. Brian Waters was obviously the most successful, but I would say that Craig Robertson has been better than either Kassell or Spencer on the professional level, while Dunbar and Oliwale (sp?) have having their own level of success.

[Harry]

Spencer was the best overall NFL talent we have had in the modern era. Injuries are what ended his career prematurely. Dunbar and Robertson could end up having better careers with more longevity. Spencer wowed the combine with his athleticism. He was truly a freak of nature

[GrandGreen]

Well in another era, others drafted but only listed first 10 rounds to compare more with modern drafts

1968

8r Linden Endsley

8 Ed Bradley

9 Henry Hollard

10 James Russell

1969

1 Joe Greene

7 Chuck Beatty

10 Michael Shook

1970

1 Cedric Hardman

2 Ronnie Shanklin

5 Steve Ramsey

10 Glen Holloway

1971

1 Lenard Dunlap

3 Willie Parker

8 Wilbur Levels

[greenminer]

Was there a better era for NT LBs than the NO Bowl run? It's wild to me to think of all those lunchpails from 2000 - 2005.

[Harry]

Was there a better era for NT LBs than the NO Bowl run? It's wild to me to think of all those lunchpails from 2000 - 2005.

And how about DlIneman? Booger, Mike Pruitt, and AA?

[Mean Green 93-98]

And how about DlIneman? Booger, Mike Pruitt, and AA?

Very impressive, but not comparable to a D-line with Joe Greene and Cedric Hardman.

Edited April 28, 2015 by Mean Green 93-98

[817Fan]

Could we see an NT baseball player drafted before the next football player?

[UNTLifer]

And how about DlIneman? Booger, Mike Pruitt, and AA?

I have a hard time leaving Evan Cardwell off of this list. And I agree with your comments on Spencer. He was a freak.

[Harry]

I would also add Darrell Daniels as another good defensive lineman. Eddrick Gilmore was pretty good as well.

[Cerebus]

And how about DlIneman? Booger, Mike Pruitt, and AA?

Mike Pruitt was a beast. He was only here two years, played one of them behind Booger (Still had 10 TFL and 5 sacks as a backup), and then was all conference and a candidate for defensive POY the next. I think a lot of fans forget about him because he was in Brandon Kennedy's era, but if you put him on this years defense it instantly becomes a top CUSA unit.

Edited April 28, 2015 by Cerebus

[Aldo]

Well in another era, others drafted but only listed first 10 rounds to compare more with modern drafts

I know you're comparing with the modern era, but let's go back a little further and remember the AFL's first (1960) ROY, first MVP, and first leading rusher in Abner Haynes. Who is also the first black player, a walk-on, to play at a state school (which also happened to be the first state school to integrate).

Proud of my alma mater!