Jackson, Douglas, Fluellen & Wheeler Picked

Former Dunwoody, Jonesboro, Cartersville and Shaw High stars selected in 2008 NFL Draft

After former Ware County and Troy University cornerback Leodis McKelvin was selected by the Bufffalo Bills with the 11th overall selection of the 2008 NFL Draft Saturday afternoon, four more college players who got their respective starts starring for Georgia high schools have been picked to join the pro ranks.

Former Dunwoody High athlete Dexter Jackson, who gained national notoriety for running around the Michigan defense in Appalachian State's stunning upset of the Wolverines last year, was the next one to come off the board after McKelvin. The speedy wide receiver was picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 58th selection of the second round.

At Appalachian State, the 5-10, 182-pounder nabbed 110 passes and 1,846 yards and 17 touchdowns in a 55-game career. He also excelled on special teams, averaging 9.0 yards per punt return and 17.7 yards per kick return. He scored twice.

“Special teams really makes him a valuable guy for us,” Bucs head coach Jon Gruden said. “He’ll give us some depth at the receiver position while he’s progressing and he’ll also give us a real kick, I think, in the return game.”

Jackson was rated as Scout.com as a two-star NFL prospect and the 31st-ranked wide receiver leading up to the weekend selections.


Jackson

Former Jonesboro High and Louisville wide receiver Harry Douglas was the next Georgia native to hear his name called when the home-state Atlanta Falcons selected him in Sunday's third round, pick No. 21.

Doulgas was one of the most consistent players the past few seasons on a Louisville offense that didn't lack big-play ability. As a senior starter last year, the 5-11, 176-pounder recorded 71 catches for 1,159 yards and seven touchdowns. His 115.9 yards-per-game average was third-best in the country.

Douglas was ranked ahead of Jackson in the pre-draft rankings as a four-star NFL Draft prospect and ninth-ranked wide receiver.


Douglas

Former Cartersville High and Florida State defensive lineman Andre Fluellen was selected just three picks Douglas when the Detroit Lions made him their third-round selection.

Fluellen battled with injury issues during his senior season at FSU but boasted a five-year (redshirt included) career as a Seminole that saw him start 31 games, record 81 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

The 6-2, 296-pound defender was ranked as a three-star NFL Draft prospect and the ninth-best defensive tackle prospect heading into the draft.


Fluellen

Former Shaw High and Georgia Tech linebacker Philip Wheeler is the latest Georgia native to come off the board in the draft.

The 6-1 1/2, 235-pounder was picked by the Indianapolis Colts with the 30th selection of round No. 3.

Wheeler starred for the Yellow Jackets as a hard-hitting defensive presence that opposing offenses had to scheme against. He started all 13 games as a senior a season ago and achieved 89 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks.

Wheeler was ranked the ninth-best outside linebacker prospect heading into the draft and a four-star NFL Draft prospect.


Wheeler