New York: Jadeveon Clowney was the first pick Thursday in the NFL draft, the annual selection of college players that helps teams in America’s most popular sport replenish their talent pools.
The Houston Texans took the South Carolina defensive end to kick off the first round of a draft viewed as one of the deepest in recent history, with a surplus of talented American college stars at almost every position.
“I am glad to be part of their organization,” said Clowney. “I am ready get to work and play some football.”
Clowney was chosen ahead of Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson, who was taken number two by the St. Louis Rams.
The first big surprise came one pick later when Central Florida’s Blake Bortles became the first quarterback drafted, ahead of Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel.
The Jacksonville Jaguars made Bortles the first quarterback at number three, passing on a chance to select former Heisman Trophy winner Manziel. The Heisman is awarded annually to the top player in US college football.
“It is indescribable,” Bortles said. “I am looking forward to going to Jacksonville and learning everything. I had no idea they were going to pick me.”
Manziel went 22nd overall to the Cleveland Browns, who traded up from the 26th spot to get him.
“It was tough,” Manziel said of the wait. “But I went into this saying whatever team wanted me it would be the right situation for me.
“I’m just going to play my heart out for this team.”
The draft features all 32 NFL teams choosing players over three days. The first round is Thursday, the second and third rounds are Friday and the fourth to seventh rounds are Saturday.
Teams select players in the reverse order they finished in the standings, meaning the last place club gets the coveted first pick.
The US colleges are the biggest supplier of players to the NFL and the entry draft is the most common player recruitment tool for the league.
Houston’s pick ended a seven-year streak of offensive players being selected first since the Texans took defensive end Mario Williams to start the 2006 draft.
Clowney was the first South Carolina player picked number-one overall since 1981 when the New Orleans Saints took running back George Rogers.
The 1.98-metre lineman had 24 sacks in three years for South Carolina, including 13 in 2012.
Clowney said he is worthy of being the top pick.
“I don’t mind what people say about me. I am going to approach the game the way I want to,” Clowney said.
He will join all-star defensive end J.J. Watt in what may turn out to be a fearsome pass rush for a team that finished last season on a franchise-worst 14-game losing skid.
“He’s an impact player,” said Texans general manager Rick Smith. “We always talk about adding those types of athletes to our organization and he certainly fits the bill.”
The Buffalo Bills traded up five places to take Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins at number four in a deal with the Cleveland Browns.
The Bills had to give up their first round pick in 2015 as part of the trade. The Oakland Raiders rounded out the top five picks by taking linebacker Khalil Mack.
This year’s draft also includes Michael Sam who is set to become the first openly gay player selected in the draft. Sam, a star defensive end for the University of Missouri, is expected to be taken on Saturday.
Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was the last pick of the first round, going No. 32 to the Minnesota Vikings.
There nine defensive backs selected Thursday, more than any other position.
