Usama Young Becomes a New Orleans Saint
4/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
New York, N.Y. - With the second pick of the third round, and the 66th pick overall, the New Orleans Saints selected Kent State's Usama Young during day one of the NFL Draft.
Young is the first Golden Flash drafted into the NFL since tight end Jason Gavadza was taken in 2000 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gavadza was taken in the sixth round with the 204th overall pick. Young being taken with the 66th pick overall makes him the sixth highest draft pick in Kent State history.
Young, who had been through multiple workouts with numerous teams, may not have even been near a television when he was drafted. His draft day plans involved working out and lifting since his weekday schedule has been filled with travel and workouts around the country.
The four-year starter at cornerback for the Flashes impressed pro scouts with a 4.39 40-yard dash, a 43-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10'11."
This past fall, he was named to the All-MAC Second Team. As a freshman, Young was named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America for his performance in a 36-16 victory over Central Florida.
Usama was only the fourth Kent State defensive back selected in the NFL draft. The last defensive back picked was Cedric Brown. Brown was take in the 12th round with the 343rd pick overall by the Oakland Raiders in 1976.
