A record held for 15 years by a graduate of Logan County High School is expected to end Thursday evening.
Ever since Joseph Jefferson was drafted in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, he has held the distinction of being the highest draft choice in Western Kentucky University football history.
Even though he graduated the spring before the Hilltoppers won the Division II national championship and was part of Coach Jack Harbaugh’s program building, the teams that coaches Willie Taggart, Bobby Petrino and Jeff Brohm have assembled on the Division I level are much bigger, faster, and more talented than even the national championship team.
Still until now, no former Topper has been drafted above Jefferson’s status. For the record, he was the number 74 pick in a draft that included David Carr, Julius Peppers, Quentin Jammer, Dwight Freeney, Dante Stallworth, Albert Haynesworth, Ed Reed and Clinton Portis.
Mel Mitchell, is teammate at WKU, who was expected to be drafted near him didn’t go until the 5th round as the number 150 pick to New Orleans. And that has been the case the last 14 years: Toppers who might have been given a good chance to go higher than Joseph Jefferson fell short.
Even tight end Jack Doyle, who has been one of Andrew Luck’s favorite receivers in Indy, was an undrafted free agent.
Joltin’ Jumpin’ Joe Jefferson, now 37, became a starter at cornerback for Coach Tony Dungy’s Colts. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about him:
Before playing for the NFL, Jefferson was a standout football and basketball player at Logan County High School in Russellville, Kentucky. He was hampered by injuries his entire NFL career. The most games he ever played in a season was 10, including two postseason appearances, in 2004. Injuries made him miss the entire 2003 season. Jefferson had 49 career tackles (38 solo, 11 assisted) and one interception. He also had one career kick return, which he returned 11 yards.
Joe Jefferson is the only graduate of a school in the Land of Logan to be drafted to play in the NFL. Russellville’s Brad Watson, who also played defense at WKU, made the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Bucs as a walk-on. Tony Banfield, who played for the Houston Oilers in the AFL, moved away from Russellville with his family after his sophomore season.
Jefferson was a charter member of the Logan County Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Hilltopper who is expected to top Jefferson’s record tonight is offensive lineman Forrest Lamp, the anchor of the WKU team which won its third straight bowl game last season. National finalist Alabama linemen had high praise for Lamp after facing him in a game last season.
Here’s what WKU Sports Information Director Kyle Neaves has to say about Lamp’s projected draft prospects:
As Hilltopper fans anxiously await the start of the 2017 NFL Draft, set to begin at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday from Philadelphia, many of the nation’s draft experts have included former WKU All-American Forrest Lamp in their predictions on the first round.
WKUSports.com has collected 15 of the top mock drafts prior to Thursday’s first round, and the Venice, Fla., product has been projected anywhere from No. 9 (Cincinnati) to No. 31 (Atlanta). Of the 15 mocks collected, five have Lamp headed to Miami where he would reunite with former All-American quarterback Brandon Doughty, a seventh round selection of the team last season.
To date, WKU’s highest draft selection is Joseph Jefferson, selected in the third round, No. 74 overall, by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2002 draft. WKUSports.com will have a complete preview of the draft on Wednesday as well as coverage from Lamp’s draft party near his hometown on Thursday night.
Here’s a look at where Lamp stands in each mock draft:
Danny Kelly (The Ringer)
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals, #9
Analysis: Cincinnati finished tied for 25th in the NFL with 41 sacks surrendered last year and then lost its two best offensive linemen when LT Andrew Whitworth (Rams) and RG Kevin Zeitler (Browns) left in free agency. The Bengals need help on the offensive line, and Lamp is an athletic and versatile prospect with the potential to start from Day 1 at left guard or either tackle spot.
Todd McShay (ESPN)
Pick: Indianapolis Colts, #15
Analysis: Nearly 80 percent on the Colts’ designed runs last year were inside or outside zone, and Lamp is a highly athletic O-lineman who would thrive in such a scheme.
Josh Norris (Rotoworld)
Pick: Tennessee Titans, #18
Analysis: Again, I think the Titans trade out. Look for Chidobe Awuzie to be the target. But Lamp is another talent too good to pass up, especially after letting Chance Warmack walk. The offense is built on the running game and protecting Mariota.
Will Brinson (CBS Sports)
Pick: Denver Broncos, #20
Analysis: Pretty good value here, and the Broncos clearly need to get better on the offensive line, the one big problem for John Elway during his tenure as general manager in Denver. Lamp would give them a lot of depth and versatility on the line.
Chris Burke (Sports Illustrated)
Pick: Denver Broncos, #20
Analysis: The consensus has been to push Lamp inside to guard, but he deserves a shot to show what he can do at tackle. He could fill a role at either spot for the Broncos, who could lean on his athletic run blocking.
Dane Brugler (NFLDraftScout.com)
Pick: Miami Dolphins, #22
Analysis: The Dolphins have done some shuffling on the offensive line, shifting 2016 first-rounder Laremy Tunsil from guard to his more natural left tackle spot. The left guard spot is ready and waiting for Lamp.
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com)
Pick: Miami Dolphins, #22
Analysis: Laremy Tunsil kicks out to left tackle this season, which creates an opening at guard.
Steve Palazzolo (Pro Football Focus)
Pick: Miami Dolphins, #22
Analysis: Lamp has graded as a top-five offensive tackle in each of the last three years at Western Kentucky as he’s shown athleticism and power in the run game while allowing only 31 pressures on 1,621 attempts in pass protection. His mini arms will likely have the NFL kicking him inside to guard — though giving him a shot at offensive tackle seems like a low-risk proposition — and he can immediately upgrade the interior of the Dolphins’ offensive line that has had issues in recent years.
Rob Rang (CBS Sports)
Pick: Miami Dolphins, #22
Analysis: Trading away starting left tackle Branden Albert (to Jacksonville) says a lot about the Dolphins' confidence in last year's first round pick Laremy Tunsil. While Tunsil should have no problem re-acclimating to tackle after starring at left guard last season, his absence inside could be an issue. Lamp looks like a plug and play solution after a seamless transition inside to guard at the Senior Bowl.
Chad Reuter (NFL.com)
Pick: Miami Dolphins, #22
Analysis: The Dolphins are moving last year's first-rounder, Laremy Tunsil, to left tackle, making room for the Western Kentucky swing-man at guard.
Charley Casserly (NFL.com)
Pick: Houston Texans, #25
Analysis: Will the Texans trade up to get an OT or stay here?
Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)
Pick: Houston Texans, #25
Analysis: Quarterback makes sense here, but the Texans could also stand to improve an offensive line that was mediocre in the running and passing game a year ago. Lamp, who didn't allow a sack last season, can play guard or tackle.
Peter King (Monday Morning Quarterback)
Pick: Seattle Seahawks, #26
Analysis: GM John Schneider overlooks Lamp’s short arms because he thinks he can start day one.
Peter Schrager (Fox Sports)
Pick: Atlanta Falcons, #31
Analysis: Chris Chester retired right after the first wave of free agency, and there could be a hole at guard for the Falcons this season. Lamp was a star at tackle in college but will play guard in the pros. He’s got a whole lot of nasty in him.
Lance Zierlein (NFL.com)
Pick: Atlanta Falcons, #31
Analysis: One of the safest draft picks in the first round, Lamp would fill a need and could step in immediately.