Monday, April 25, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ex-UNLV stars Seward, Claridge go in fifth round

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Adam Seward Ryan Claridge Jamaal Brimmer

Adam Seward expected to hear his name called on the first day of the NFL Draft. After not hearing it until Sunday, he figures he now has motivation.

The former UNLV star linebacker was chosen in the fifth round -- the 149th overall pick -- by the Carolina Panthers.

"It's about time," said Seward, a 6-foot-2-inch, 248-pounder. "I don't know what happened. It's the nature of the draft. Carolina said they had me high, that I would be picked in the third round. They had to fill their needs.

"I thought I was a first-day guy. At least I was drafted. There are tons of great players who aren't even selected yet (by late fifth round). There's a joke there are more people struck by lightning each year than are drafted."

Seward, who graduated from Bonanza High School, wasn't the only local player drafted.

Fellow former UNLV linebacker Ryan Claridge (6-3, 254) also was selected in the fifth round, the 170th pick, by the defending champion New England Patriots, just the second time since 1988 the Rebels have had more than one player drafted.

Also, Clark graduate DeAndra Cobb (5-10, 197), a running back/return specialist who played at Michigan State, was taken in the sixth round, No. 201 overall, by the Atlanta Falcons.

Former UNLV strong safety Jamaal Brimmer, a Durango graduate, was not drafted.

Seward was projected as a second- or third-round pick after an impressive performance at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 and 4.65 seconds.

"I have size, speed, a special feel for football. I thought there was no way I would slip out of the first day," said Seward, who led the Mountain West Conference with 121 tackles last season and is UNLV's career leader with 433. "I felt I was one of the best linebackers, and I'm going to try and prove that."

Claridge landed with a dynasty, joining the team that has won three of the past four Super Bowls.

"I'm totally happy, as I should be if it was with anyone, but that it's them is a bonus," said Claridge, third on the Rebels' career tackles list with 293. "I couldn't be happier to go there. Like I said, it didn't matter where I was going. I just wanted an opportunity, and thank God I'm getting one."

Claridge was in his home state of Michigan over the weekend and said last week he would fly back to Las Vegas in first class if drafted. But he said he mistakenly made the first-class reservation for today, so he flew coach Sunday.

"I'm sure it was meant to be," Claridge said. "It keeps me grounded."

Cobb said his selection by the Falcons also was meant to be. His aunt, Marshall Cobb, predicted he would be drafted by the Falcons when their sixth-round pick came. Cobb is a fan of Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick.

"It will be great playing for them," Cobb said. "I can't wait to get on the field. It's a great opportunity. My auntie, five minutes before, called it out and it happened."

It did not happen for Brimmer (6-1, 216), a former Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He could not be reached for comment.

"He's a great player," Claridge said. "If he's given a chance to play, he'll make a team. There are countless guys who aren't drafted and make teams and have successful careers. He's in that category."

Former UNLV wide receiver Earvin Johnson (6-3, 200) signed a free-agent contract with the Tennessee Titans, and former Rebels offensive lineman Joe Critchfield (6-4, 310) will decide today whether to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals or Seattle Seahawks.

Former Oklahoma defensive tackle Lynn McGruder, a Cheyenne graduate, was not drafted.