|
Daren Stone Selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the Sixth Round of the 2007 NFL Draft
April 29, 2007 ORONO, Maine - University of Maine senior defensive back Daren Stone (Lockport, N.Y.) was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round (No. 203 overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft on Sunday afternoon at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It marks the second-straight season a Black Bear was selected in the NFL Draft, as wide receiver Kevin McMahan was taken by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round (No. 255) of the 2006 draft. It also represents the first time in program history that Maine has had a draft pick in back-to-back years. "I'm incredibly excited for Daren, his family and the entire Maine football program," Black Bear head football coach Jack Cosgrove said. "This is an exciting day for the young man, who is very deserving of this opportunity. The Falcons got a player whose best football days are ahead of him." Stone had a strong senior season, as he was named to the 2006 All-Atlantic 10 Second-Team and earned invitations to play in both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine College Football All-Star games. Stone, who also took part in the 2007 NFL Combine back in March in Indianapolis, ranked 97th nationally in sacks per game (.40) as a safety. He recorded 50 tackles on the season, including 7.5 for loss (-56 yards) and 4.0 quarterback sacks (-39 yards). His 50 tackles ranked fifth on a Maine defense which finished the 2006 season ranked second in total defense and first in rush defense. An honorable-mention preseason All-American by Don Hansen's Football Gazette prior to the season, Stone started the 2006 season off right versus Youngstown State as he made four tackles and intercepted a pass. He was named the Atlantic 10 Special Teams Player of the Week back on Oct. 8, after he returned a blocked punt 21 yards for a touchdown in Maine's 28-7 victory over then No. 17-Towson. He also had two sacks in the game, as the Black Bears defeated a nationally-ranked opponent for the first time over two years. It was the second touchdown of Stone's career, as he also returned an interception 38 yards for a score in a 38-0 victory over Northern Colorado back on Sept. 11, 2004. Stone's 2006 all-conference honor marked the second-straight season he earned honors from the Atlantic 10. He was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Third-Team in 2005, after he led the conference with five interceptions. His five picks midway through 2005 led all of Division I football in that category. Stone's sixth-round selection marks the highest pick for a Maine player since quarterback Mike Buck was taken in the sixth round by the New Orleans Saints in the 1990 draft. Stone joins Buck, Rob Sterling (6th round, 1988) and John Huard (5th round, 1967) as the only four Black Bears in school history to be picked in the top-six rounds.
Stone becomes the 13th Black Bear to be selected in the NFL Draft, and the first one to ever be drafted or signed as a rooke free agent by the Falcons. Overall, he is the 33rd player in program history to either be drafted or signed as a rooke free agent by an NFL team. Last year, Maine had four draft picks/free agent signings, which ranked third nationally out of 122 Division I Football Championship Subdivision teams (FCS) for the most in that category.
|
