Cornerback Cortez Allen of The Citadel was selected in the fourth round of the National Football League draft on Saturday by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Allen, who played in the East-West Shrine All-Star game on January 22, was taken with the 129th selection in the fourth round. He is six-foot-one and weighs in at 197 pounds. In 11 games playing for the Bulldogs last fall, Allen made 22 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, he intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, and he also broke up five passes and defended seven.
Allen was a pre-season All Southern Conference pick. He was second on the team with 57 stops (including 36 solo tackles) his junior year. Allen, who concluded his collegiate career with 120 total tackles, 20 pass deflections and two fumble recoveries, is also the first SoCon player taken in the NFL draft. Cornerback Buster Skine of Chattanooga is the second player chosen. He was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round with the 137th pick.
The Tar Heels have six players selected in the draft, so far. Defensive end Robert Quinn was taken by the St. Louis Rams in the first round with the 14th choice. Outside linebacker Bruce Carter goes to Dallas in the second round with the 40th pick; defensive tackle Marvin Austin of the Tar Heels goest to the New York Giants in the second round with the 52nd choice; wide receiver Greg Little was taken by Cleveland in the second round with the 59th pick; strong safety Da'Norris Searcy goest to Buffalo in the fourth round with the 100th pick; and running back Johnny White is taken by Buffalo with the 133rd selection in the fifth round.
Linebacker Nate Irving of North Carolina State goes to Denver with the 67th choice in the third round.
Appalachian State has three possible draft candidates in linebacker D.J. Smith, offensive lineman Daniel Kilgore and defensive back Mark LeGree.
Allen was a pre-season All Southern Conference pick. He was second on the team with 57 stops (including 36 solo tackles) his junior year. Allen, who concluded his collegiate career with 120 total tackles, 20 pass deflections and two fumble recoveries, is also the first SoCon player taken in the NFL draft. Cornerback Buster Skine of Chattanooga is the second player chosen. He was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round with the 137th pick.
The Tar Heels have six players selected in the draft, so far. Defensive end Robert Quinn was taken by the St. Louis Rams in the first round with the 14th choice. Outside linebacker Bruce Carter goes to Dallas in the second round with the 40th pick; defensive tackle Marvin Austin of the Tar Heels goest to the New York Giants in the second round with the 52nd choice; wide receiver Greg Little was taken by Cleveland in the second round with the 59th pick; strong safety Da'Norris Searcy goest to Buffalo in the fourth round with the 100th pick; and running back Johnny White is taken by Buffalo with the 133rd selection in the fifth round.
Linebacker Nate Irving of North Carolina State goes to Denver with the 67th choice in the third round.
Appalachian State has three possible draft candidates in linebacker D.J. Smith, offensive lineman Daniel Kilgore and defensive back Mark LeGree.
