April 29, 2007
NEW YORK – University of New Mexico linebacker Quincy Black was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night with the fourth pick of the third round (68th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft. The 6-2, 240-pound Black was a first team all-Mountain West Conference selection for the Lobos last season, leading the team with 114 tackles. The Chicago native also had three interceptions, including an 88-yard return for a touchdown.
Black is the 62nd New Mexico player to be selected in the NFL Draft and the ninth under 10th-year head coach Rocky Long. The Lobos have had five NFL Draft picks in the last three years.
Black’s selection was the earliest for a UNM defensive player since linebacker Brian Urlacher (ninth pick, first round) in 2000. Long has had four linebackers selected in the NFL Draft since 2000 (Urlacher, Casey Tisdale – ’00, Nick Speegle – ’05, Black).
Black graduated from UNM in December of 2006 with a degree in University Studies.
Two more Lobos signed free agent deals with NFL teams on Sunday after the draft. Kicker Kenny Byrd, an Albuquerque St. Pius X product, signed with the Detroit Lions, while Austin, Texas native Robert Turner inked a deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
Former UNM wide receiver Hank Baskett made the most of his free agent opportunity last year with the Philadelphia Eagles. Baskett was one of the top rookie receivers in the NFL in 2006 and will be in the mix for a starting job this year. After going undrafted the Clovis, N.M. product signed a free agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings and soon made his mark after being traded to the Eagles just before the start of training camp.
Quotes From Tampa Bay Head Coach John Gruden on Quincy Black
“We’re not quite sure where he’ll line up yet, but we will get him started this upcoming weekend at our mini camp,” Gruden said. “He can rush the passer as a blitzer. He’s a guy who has played in space and been very effective at times, and we got a very fast, explosive athlete who will be a linebacker for us.”
“Whether he starts off at “Will” or as the “Sam” linebacker, technically, remains to be seen. But we’ll let him run around in our first mini camp this upcoming weekend and get a real good feel for him, and what looks good, what feels good and go from there. But he’ll be on the field doing some things for us. He’s an exciting guy. You’re going to like the way he runs around and hits, and we need it.”
“He’s a great kid. He wants to be here and he wants to be a football player. With his traits and his overall athletic ability, we’re going to be hard-pressed not to put him on a field.”