Wednesday, April 30, 1986
Sports
University Daily Kansan
11
Ineligible Walton first 'Hawk taken
By Jim Suhr
Sports writer
Alvin Walton, a Kansas cornerback with a reputation for hard hitting and speed, was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of yesterday's National Football League draft in New York.
Walton, a 6-foot, 180 pound defensive back who sat out last season because of academic ineligibility, became the first Jayhawk to be drafted and the 75th pick overall.
Walton said he received a call from Redskins personnel shortly before his selection was announced on ESPN, a total sports network that televised the first four rounds of the draft live from the Marriott Marquis in New York. The team told him, came as a pleant surprise.
"I was shocked, but happy," Walton said. "I'm excited about playing in the pros — I've been dreaming about it all my life.
"Everybody thought (Mike) Norseth would be the first Jayhawk to be drafted," he said, referring to the Kansas starting quarterback who was originally ex-ice. He was drafted within the first three rounds.
Alvin Walton
Walton said he had worked out with the Redskins after last season, but found out about the team's interest in him when he
went to Washington three weeks ago for a team physical.
"They had told me they were trying to get me." Walton said.
Walton will fly to Washington this morning for a news conference with the city's media. He said he would return to the city well before the start of the week, and the may have suffered from his one-year layoff.
Ron Meyer, Walton's agent and former New England Patriots head coach, said that although he was pleased with the Redskins' confidence in Walton, he had several assets that made him appealing to the Redskins or other NFL teams.
Brownstake Norseth in 7th round of draft
Sports writer
Kansas' Mike Norsech, who was predicted by analysts to be one of the first five quarterbacks selected in yesterday's National Football League draft, was victimized by the draft's unpredictable nature and was overlooked until the seventh round of the 104th quartet back chosen.
By Jim Suhr
Norseth was selected by the Cleveland Brown to become the third of four Jayhawks selected in the draft and the 174th player overall.
Other Jayhawks drafted yesterday
include cornerback Alvin Walton,
third round, Washington Redskins;
Lynn Williams, sixth round, Los
Angeles Rams; and Johnny
Cowboys, seventh round, Dallas
Cowboys.
Norseth was expected to compete against Illinois' Jack Trudeau and Brigham Young's Robbie Bosco as the third quarterback selected. Purdue's Jim Everett and Iowa's Chuck Long were the top two prospects at quarterback, and both were chosen in the first round.
Trudeau and Bosse were both drafted in the third round, but then the waiting began for Norseth. Names that had not appeared in consensus ratings released by NFL scouts began to be drafted before Norset.
The Rams picked Hugh Millen of Washington and Walter Brister of Northeast Louisiana went to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round
Doug Gaylor, Long Beach State,
was selected by Cincinnati in the
fourth round; the Redskins drafted
Washington State's Mark Rypien;
and Dallas picked Maryland's Stan
Schenck. Finally, he finally
got a call at about 6:30 p.m.
from Cleveland head coach Marty
Schattenheimer.
"I'm a little disappointed," Norseth said. "Everyone's expectations were much higher, but I'm just fortunate to be drafted.
"I'm excited of the opportunity to play football regardless of where the team is. It's Cleveland, so I'll have to ask for a favorite team and do the best I can."
Norseth, who had worked out with about 20 NFL teams before the draft, did not try out with Cleveland. He will travel to Cleveland tomorrow for the team's minicamp.
Norseth joins the Browns' Gary Danielson and Bernie Kosar at quarterback.
Pless overlooked by 28 teams in draft
By Frank Ybarra
White Pless was sitting in his agent's small office yesterday. The KU linebacker was watching ESPN announcer Paul McGuire, waiting for word on whether he had drafted into the National Football League.
The word never came for Pless.
Twelve rounds came and went and no team drafted the All-Big Eight linebacker from Aniston, Ala.
Liss spent most of yesterday in front of a television watching as 28 NFL teams drafted players from the country. But his phone remained silent.
As Pless watched, McGuire started talking about the number of players who still hadn't been drafted.
"There's still a lot of good players left." McGuire said.
Pless quietly replied, "You bet your butt."
It was the third round of the draft when Pless and his agent, Jim Fender, were watching the draft. ESPN was through with coverage for the day. Pless was still waiting for the allimportant phone call.
He also brought two friends, Von Lacey, an offensive tackle on the Kansas football team as a junior senior, to keep him company at Jim Fender's office.
But even though it was draft day, Pless said he wasn't too nervous. Before he arrived at his agent's office at about 2 p.m., Pless said he had to carry out a normal day's schedule of going to class and taking notes.
Pless and Lacey made jokes about commercials and discussed the draft picks as ESPN announced them.
But Pless said his calm might not last for long.
"When we get on up into the higher rounds I'll start biting my fingers," he said.
Many of the players picked in the draft were acquaintances of his, Pleas said, and he was glad to see them go on. "I know they are very smart," senior of the Kansas football team.
Pless said he might have to take out some nervous energy by hitting someone.
"That's why I brought Von along," he said laughing.
I nope everyone form Kansas gets a chance to play," he said.
Pless said he didn't have any prediction on when he would go in the draft, but Fender said it wouldn't have. So when the draft got into the eighth round.
Once the later rounds come along, Fender said, it was almost as good not to be picked so he could become a leader and try out where he wanted to.
But, Fender said, you're getting into a little pride factor.
One reason why Pless was not a candidate for the early rounds of the draft, the experts say, was because his six-foot 215-pound frame was too small for a professional inside linebacker.
KANSAN file photo
Fender, who represents several players in this year's draft, said he was planning to be in his office until 3 or 4 a.m. when the draft was over.
"I'd have to get with my agent," he said. "I'll just listen to him and see what he says."
Pless said he wasn't sure whether he would consider going to the United States Football League if he wasn't drafted by the NFL.
Fender was sure, however, that someone would be interseted in Pless.
"You don't make 633 tackles and not have a reputation," he said.
As the afternoon move on, Pless, his friends and his agent talked about strategy used by teams drafting players and about who they thought were surprise picks.
Kansas linebacker Willie Pless, who was not drafted in the 12-round National Football League draft yesterday, now has the option of trying out for a team as a free agent or waiting for the United States Football League draft.
The talk eventually turned to what was the latest happening on the soap operas.
And McGuire continued to analyze the draft on television.
"All you need is the opportunity to go play," a television announcer said. "It's what you do in training camp."
Bucs owner will pitch NFL to Jackson
And that is all Pless wants — a chance.
United Press International
NEW YORK — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Bo Jackson of Auburn the first pick in the NFL draft yesterday and Bucs' owner Hugh Culverhouse vowed he would pay more than $5 million to ensure the Heisman Trophy winner signs with his team.
Jackson, 220 pounds and capable of
Culverhouse said he was confident he could outbid pro baseball for the services of Jackson, rated by many NFL teams the best running back prospect to come out of college in 17 years.
years. The Bucs owner said he was willing to pay Jackson more than the $5 million over five years John Elway earned after he was selected first overall buy Denver in 1863.
First-round profiles p. 15.
"We're prepared to make him the top offer in the history of the draft." Carluhever said. "Yes, it's a gamble. But with Bo Jackson and James we will have the most exciting backfill in the NFL, maybe its history."
running a 4.12 40-yard dash, is considered by scouts the best college running back since Buffalo drafted O.J. Simpson in 1969. The only hitch is that he will wait until the June baseball draft to see how teams compete in league team shows. Jackson was a center fielder at Auburn.
"t see pro baseball and pro football as jobs," said Jackson, who has negotiated with Tampa Bay. "Right now I'm job hunting.
"I really don't know that much about the Buccaneers. If I was to sign with them I would do my part as a running back and not go in as a franchise savor. I just would go in as a regular player."
The rest of the early first-round had more of a defensive flavor than expected, as teams chose six defenders from the first 14 selections. Tony Casillas, Oklahoma nose tackle, was taken second by Atlanta; defensive ends Jon Hand of Alabama (No. 4 by Indianapolis). Leslie O'Neal of Oklahoma State (No. 8 by San Diego) and Gerald Robinson of Auburn (No. 14 by Minnesota); and linebackers Anthony Bell of
Michigan State (No. 5 by St. Louis) and Joe Kelly of Washington (No.11 by Cincinnati) followed.
As expected, Jim Everett of Purdue was picked third by Houston, making him the first quarterback taken in the first round since Miami chose Dan Marino in 1983. Chuck Long of Iowa was the second quarterback taken, with Detroit grabbing him on the 12th pick.
Offensive tackles Jim Dombrowski and Brian Jowziak went back-to-back. New Orleans took Dombrowski, of Virginia, sixth and Kansas City chose Jowziak, of West Virginia, seventh.
Philadelphia, picking 10th, gambled on Ohio State running back Keith Byars, who was rated as high as Jackson before a broken right foot cost him most of his senior season. Byars may miss a good chunk of his rookie season, but Buddy Ryan was impressed enough to make him his first pick as Eagles head coach. Fullback John Williams of Florida became the third running back selected when Seattle chose him 15th.
there was only one trade involving first round picks. That deal saw Minnesota send the eighth pick to San Diego for the Chargers' 14th pick. The Kings got a second-round pick in the chargers a third-round in the deal.
ine early surprises were that more running backs did not go early and
The biggest surprise by far was the drafting of Bell, who was considered no better than a second-rounder. Gene Stallings, the new St Louis receiver, is one of the most important and needs linebackers, felt Bell was the best linebacker around.
"I were really shocked," said Bell, "6-foot-3, 228-pounder with 4.5-speed. "I thought Kansas City might be more interested. I thought I'd be picked anywhere from 10th on down."
Buffalo pulled another surprise by using the 16th pick on Iowa running back Ronnie Harmon. That fueled speculation that Joe Cribs would be dealt by the Bills, since there is no logical need for Harmon, Cribs and Greg Bell in the same backfield. Harmon, dangerous as both a runner and receiver, was coveted by San Francisco.
KU bats erupt in win over Benedictine Nebbitt. Byrn
KU bats Nebbitt, Byrn lead hit parade against Ravens
Kansas second baseman Geno Nebitt has been hitting the ball well all season, but yesterday's performance against Benedictine may have been his best game of the year.
By Tom Farmer Sports writer
He hit a homer and two doubles while driving in five runs to lead the Jayhaws to a 12-2 victory over Benedictine at Quigley Field.
Chris Klyczek. Benedictine second baseman, and John Byrn. KU first baseman, look for the umpire's call at second. Byrn unsuccessfully tried to break up a double play during yesterday's game at Quigley Field. The Jayhawks defeated Benedictine 12-2.
Baseball
Also playing well for Kansas, 24-31, was freshman pitcher Craig Houfek, who went the distance in mastering the Ravens, 26-24, allowing just four hits while striking out four and walking only two.
"He pitched a great game," head coach Marty Pattin said. "It's important to get him as much as possible, when he's a freshman as possible."
Craig Sands/KANSAN
Houfek kept the Benedictine batters in check without allowing a fly ball out to be recorded by the Kansas outfielders.
Nebbitt, a senior transfer from Ball State University, entered the game with a team-leading 382 batting average to lead for the lead in home runs with 10.
"Coach Pattin took me aside and helped me in batting practice," Nebbitt said. "He deserves the credit."
In addition, Nebbitt has set a new record for hits in a season with 74. The old record of 70 was set by Rob Thomson in 1984.
Pattin responded to the praise by saying Nebbitt had done a consistent job with a lot of hard work
"I can't say enough about the kind of job he'd done this year," Pattin said. "We've given Geno the opportunity and he's been a great
The Jayhawks battered three Raven pitchers for 17 hits in the seven-inning game.
Nebbitt wasn't the only Kansas player hitting at will. Junior first
After taking a 2-0 lead in the first innning, Kansas put the game out of reach in the second when they scored four runs with two outs. The runs came a circle on Nebbitt's homer over the left field fence.
baseman John Byrn was perfect with four singles in four trips to the plate.
Kansas added a single run in the fifth and struck for five more in the sixth, making the score 12-1.
The Ravens scored one run in the seventh, making the score 12-2. But because of the 10-run margin, it was called to go nine innings, was ended.
Kansas is scheduled to play at Wichita State tonight at 7 p.m.
Williams heads for LA; Dallas drafts Holloway
By a Kansan sports writer
Running back Lynn Williams and wide receiver Johnny Holloway join defensive back Alvin Walton and quarterback Mike Norsech as the only Jayahws selected in yesterday's national football League Draft in New York.
Williams, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound back from Carson, Calif., was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1980 and was the 16th selection overall.
Williams transferred from Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., and became Kansas' leading rusher in his two seasons with the Jayhawks. Last season, he played in seven games against the Oklahoma State, generating him on the team after he had been declared academically ineligible.
He rushed for a team-leading 373 yards on 86 carries and five touchdowns. He finished his two-year
Holloway, 5-11, 185 pounds, passed up his final season of eligibility at Kansas to make himself eligible for the draft, was selected in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys and was the 185th pick overall.
Kansas career with 1,149 yards on 258 carries for a 4.5 average and 13 touchdowns.
Wide receiver Richard Estell, 6-4 and 195 pounds, was not drafted even though he became the all-time receiver in Jahawk history. Last season, Estell was the country's eighth best receiver after catching 70 passes for 120 yards and 104 points. During his career, Estell caught a Big Eight record for career catchers (117) and total yards (1,997).
Holloway, who transferred from Butler County Community College in time for Kansas' 1948 season, caught 32 passes last season for 358 yards, averaged 11.2 yards a catch and scored one touchdown.
Home run beats Royals
United Press International
DETROIT — Mike Laga lofted a home run into the upper deck in right with two out in the seventh innning after Kansas City right-hander Dennis Leonard had retired 17 batters in a row and broke a 1-1 tie last night that gave the Detroit Tigers a 2-1 victory over the Royals.
Laga's third home run, which came on an 1-0 pitch, made a winner of Frank Tanaan, 3-1, who tossed a six hitter.
six innings.
Leonard, who had only allowed three earned runs in four starts this season, dropped to 2-2.
He gave up an unearned run in the first inning, walked Laga to start the second, then retired 17 batters in a row before Laga lifted his high fly
ball into the upper deck in right
Larry Herndon dropped a single in-to short right center in the first, moved to second on a sacrifice by Darnell Coles and scored when right fielder Darryl Motley dropped Lance Parish's high fly ball.
ranana gave up a single and a triple in the second but didn't give up a run because in between he picked a hard smash by Steve Baildon, whose but also bent to the mount to allow it to fly triathlon and turned it into a double play.
The Royals scored in the fourth when George Brett walked for the 21st time this season and then was sacrificed to second by Frank White and scored when Molley drailed a 2-1 pitch to left for a single with two out.