April 26, 2003

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest defensive end Calvin Pace was selected in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon. The 18th pick overall, Pace was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals.

With that selection, Pace becomes Wake Forest's first opening-round draft pick since the NFL merger. other WFU's first-round draftees include Norm Snead, who was the No. 2 overall pick of Washington in 1961. Elmer Barbour was WFU's first opening-round selection in 1945, when he was picked up by the New York Giants.

Pace was also the first ACC player selected in the 2003 NFL Draft. Again, that is a first for the Deacon program since Snead in 1961.

Pace is the third Wake Forest player selected by the Arizona Cardinals organization. Ricky Proehl was a third-round selection in 1990, followed by second-round pick Ben Coleman in 1993.

Pace was a 2002 first-team All-America and All-ACC selection, leading Wake Forest to a 7-6 record and Seattle Bowl championship. Pace broke the WFU career tackles-for-loss record, originally set by another NFL lineman, Michael McCrary. He ranks second all-time behind McCrary in career sacks as well.

April 27, 2003

Mughelli, Sharpe selected on second day of the Draft
Fullback Ovie Mughelli became WFU's second player drafted in 2003 when he went in the fourth round (134th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens. Former Deacon Michael McCrary is an All-Pro player with Baltimore, while 2001 Wake Forest graduates Michael Collins and Nate Bolling are also affiliated with the Ravens while currently playing in NFL Europe.

Nose tackle Montique Sharpe was picked up in the seventh round (230th overall selection) by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wake Forest's three draft picks in 2003 tie as the second most in a draft in school history. It is also the second most in the ACC this year, behind Florida State's six selections. The Deacs also had three selections in 2000, 1993, 1989, 1952 and 1947. The school record is four, set in 1950.

April 28, 2003

Four Deacs Sign Free-Agent Contracts

Three former Demon Deacons signed free agent with NFL teams following this weekend's draft. Quarterback James MacPherson, MVP of the Seattle Bowl, signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He joins his former head coach, Jim Caldwell, who is the quarterbacks coach in Indianapolis.

Tight end Ray Thomas has joined the Buffalo Bills through free agency, while wide receiver/kick returner Fabian Davis has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 2003 Super Bowl Champions.

Offensive guard Blake Henry, a 2002 first-team All-ACC selection signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons.