University of North Carolina Athletics
Four Tar Heels Selected in NFL Draft
April 21, 2001 | General
April 22, 2001
University of North Carolina tight end Alge Crumpler was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the NFL Draft. Crumpler was the fourth pick of the second round and the 35th selection overall.
"I'm elated," said Crumpler. "It's only four hours from my mother's house (Charlotte) and Michael Vick should be fun to have as a quarterback. You never know what is going to happen with the draft. You never know how it will unfold, but I'm excited about the opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons. I think I'm a good fit for them and I hope I'm able to make some contributions right away. I talked to their tight ends coach at the combine and he stressed to me some things I should focus on. I worked on those things and made an effort improve throughout all my workouts."
At Carolina, Crumpler was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference seletion. He finished his career with 68 catches for 760 yards and five touchdowns.
North Carolina linebacker Sedrick Hodge was picked by the New Orleans Saints in the third round. Hodge was the eigth pick in the third round and the 70th player selected overall.
"My first reaction was relief," said Hodge. "I was sweating bullets waiting to get picked. I'm excited to get the chance to play in the NFL and play in a great city like New Orleans. I was in New Orleans about two weeks ago and I really liked the defensive scheme they have. They said they would play me in a weak-side linebacker spot. I think I'll be a good fit and I couldn't ask for much more tonight."
Hodge, who ran the 40-yard dash in a time of 4.55, is another in a long line of outstanding Tar Heel linebackers. He started every game for three consecutive years and last season was second on the team with 82 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Linebacker Brandon Spoon was selected early on the second day of the NFL Draft, going to the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round. Spoon was the 110th overall selection.
"It was a long day yesterday (Saturday), so I was glad to hear my name early today," said Spoon. "I'm thrilled to get a chance to be a part of the Buffalo Bills. It's a great situation because I've met their defensive coordinator, I will get a chance to contribute and I get to play with a friend of mine in Keith Newman. They said they will look to play me at middle linebacker, and maybe also a little at strong side.
"I've never been to Buffalo so it will defintely be a learning experience for me," said the Burlington, N.C., native. "I've grown up and lived in the South all my life."
Spoon, a four-time Butkus Award candidate, led Carolina in tackles in 1998 and 2000. He missed the 1999 season with a torn biceps muscle and received a medical redshirt. Spoon will be reunited with former teammate Keith Newman who has played outside linebacker with the Bills for the last two seasons.
The final Tar Heel selected was tight end Dauntae' Finger who was picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the fifth pick in the seventh round. Finger was the 205th overall selection. In his career at Carolina, Finger had 15 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown.
