SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
KAMARA PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RAMS
The National Football League recently held its annual draft, with the 2024 edition taking place in Detroit. As no surprise to anyone, the Chicago Bears took USC QB and 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams with the 1st pick overall. The 2nd pick was the 2023 Heisman winner, LSU QB Jayden Daniels, selected by the Washington Commanders. North Carolina QB Drake Maye made it a clean sweep for the Top 3 being signal callers, as he was selected by the New England Patriots. Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison, Jr. was selected 4th by the Arizona Cardinals, while the Chargers took Notre Dame OT Joe Alt to round out the Top 5.
With the sixth selection, the NY Giants took explosive LSU WR Malik Nabers, who drew comparisons to another LSU star Big Blue once had in Odell Beckham, Jr. Two picks later, the biggest shocker of the whole draft came when, despite signing QB Kirk Cousins to a massive contract this offseason, the Atlanta Falcons too Washington QB Michael Penix, Jr. with the 8th pick. Two picks later, the Minnesota Vikings swapped picks with the NY Jets to move into #10 and took Michigan QB and 2024 National Champion JJ McCarthy.
At #11, the Jets took Penn State OT Olu Fashanu. With the next pick, the Denver Broncos took Oregon QB Bo Nix, meaning that half of the first dozen picks were quarterbacks. The Indianapolis Colts took UCLA DE Laiatu Latu with the 15th pick, which was significant because he was the first defensive player to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here are some other local selections:
Giants: 2nd Round, #47 overall, Tyler Nubins (S, Minnesota); 3rd Round, #70 overall, Andru Phillips (CB, Kentucky); 4th Round, #107 overall, Theo Robinson (TE, Penn State); 5th Round, #166 overall, Tyrone Tracy, Jr. (RB, Purdue); 6th Round, #183 overall, Darius Muasau (LB, UCLA)
Jets: 3rd Round, #65 overall, Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky); 4th Round, #134 overall, Braelon Allen (RB, Wisconsin); 5th Round, #171 overall, Jordan Travis (QB, Florida State); 5th Round, #173 overall, Isaiah Davis (RB, South Dakota State); 5th Round, #176 overall, Quan’tez Stiggers (CB, Toronto Argonauts); 7th Round, #257 overall (the last pick of the NFL Draft, aka “Mr. Irrelevant”), Jaylen Key (S, Alabama)
As for local representation, Newark native Mohamed Kamara, who was a four year letterman and played at Central High School, was taken in the 5th Round with pick #158 out of Colorado State Rams to rush the QB for the Miami Dolphins.
In the NBA, as of this posting, the likes of the LA Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and New Orleans Pelicans have been eliminated from the postseason.
Finally, former USC star running back Reggie Bush had his Heisman Trophy restored after it was taken years ago.
