Rodgers Brothers Reunited

The third day of the 2012 NFL Draft, and rounds 4 thru 7, came and went with no further selections of players from Oregon St., leaving Brandon Hardin, who went in Friday night's 3rd round to Chicago, the only Beaver selected this year.

However, 4 Beavers subsequently signed free agent contracts, highlighted by WR/KR James Rodgers, Oregon St.'s all-time leader in total offensive yardage, reuniting with his brother Jacquizz with the Atlanta Falcons. Perhaps the "Wild Falcon" formation is in their future?

Other Oregon St. signees include LB Cameron Collins, who signed with the Miami Dolphins, OT Mike Remmers, who went to the Denver Broncos, and P Johnny Hekker, who the St. Louis Rams picked up. The Rams of course are the team former Oregon St. great RB Steven Jackson plays for.

14 Pac-12 players were taken in the last 4 rounds of the draft, and several other notables besides Rodgers weren't.

Arizona St. CB Omar Bolden went to the Denver Broncos with the 6th pick of the 4th round, Washington DT Alameda Ta'amu went to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 14th pick of the round, and USC TE Rhett Ellison went to the Minnesota Vikings with the 33rd pick of the 4th round.

5 Pac-12 players were selected in the 5th round, including Washington OG Senio Kelemete, who went to the Arizona Cardinals with the 16th pick, Oregon OLB Josh Kaddu to the Miami Dolphins with the 20th selection, Colorado OG Ryan Miller to the Cleveland Brown with the 25th pick, California WR Marvin Jones to the Cincinnati Bengals with the 31st pick, and Arizona WR Juron Criner to the Oakland Raiders, with the 33rd pick, a compensatory pick.

Only 1 Pac-12 player was picked in the 6th round, Oregon OG Mark Asper, who went to the Buffalo Bills with the 8th pick.

The 7th and final round saw 5 more players from the Pac-12 picked, starting with a pair from California. FS D.J. Campbell went to the Carolina Panthers, with the 9th pick, and DE Trevor Guyton was taken by the Minnesota Vikings with the 12th pick. Colorado WR Tony Clemons was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 24th pick, Oregon TE David Paulson went to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 33 pick, a compensatory pick, and finally Arizona CB Trevin Wade was taken by the Cleveland Browns, with the 38th pick, also a compensatory pick.

Notably, no players from UCLA or Washington St. were drafted.

In addition to James Rodgers, one of the surprises of the day was that Washington RB Chris Polk went undrafted. Polk signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com