Football ends long draft-day drought

By Kenneth Hammond

Spring Fling 2001 offered Yale football players more than one reason to celebrate. A morning of anxious TV-watching had given way to the relaxed beats of Ben Harper, and as teammates passed each other on Old Campus, they offered smiles and knowing nods. Yale rarely has the opportunity to celebrate its football feats in April, yet on that Sun., Apr. 22, the football team was doubly excited.

Before Ben Harper took the stage, National Football League commissioner Paul Tagliabue had the attention of at least 80 Yale students. But as the second day of the NFL draft approached its conclusion, the expectant air that had permeated many of Yale's dorm rooms earlier in the day turned sour. The Bulldogs hoped to score their first draft pick since 1982, but as the seventh and final round of the draft began, neither of Yale's prospects had a team to call his own. Nonetheless, with the 223rd pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected safety Than Merrill, MC '01, the leader of Yale's defensive backfield. Not to be outdone, the San Francisco 49ers took a Yalie of their own, tight end Eric Johnson, JE '01, with the ensuing pick.

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Though the football team had finished its season five months earlier, the draft created a collective excitement among all who had played with Johnson and Merrill. "It was a really great experience, both for the two of them and for the rest of the team," Jason Lange, JE '03, said. "It's really exciting to think that I played next to two current NFL players. Knowing that I could play with them certainly gives me a lot of confidence when I compete."

Although many of the team's younger players never had the opportunity to connect personally with Johnson or Merrill, they nonetheless felt their influence. "I was just a freshman last year, so I only played with Eric and Than for one year," tight end Nate Lawrie, DC '04, said. "I looked up to them as the leaders of the team, and seeing what they achieved is exciting for me. As a tight end, it's inspirational to see Eric have as much success as he's had. Of course he has great hands, but he wasn't that big, and teams still took a chance on him."

Though Merrill has yet to establish himself in the NFL, Johnson has already earned a starting spot for the 49ers and caught his first NFL touchdown several weeks ago. Rarely does a seventh-round draft pick experience such immediate success. "It's hard to believe that a guy I played with last year has New York Times articles written about him and starts for the 49ers," Lange said.

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