Marshall University Athletics
Watts Drafted by Broncos
4/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Watts Drafted by Broncos
4/25/2004
NEW YORK - The Denver Broncos selected Marshall wide-receiver Darius Watts with the 54th overall pick in the National Football League Draft on Saturday.
An All-MAC performer, Watts (6-1, 188, from College Park, Ga.) caught 74 passes for 968 yards, with touchdowns in 11 of his 12 games as a senior last season. His 272 career catches set school and Mid-American Conference records, ranking sixth all-time in NCAA Division 1-A history. Only Troy Edwards of Louisiana Tech (50, 1996-98) had more scoring grabs in a career in NCAA Division 1-A annals than Watts' 47.
Watts was the 22nd player picked in the second round and one of only three MAC players to be drafted in the first day. Miami (Ohio) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was the 11th overall pick (Pittsburgh) and Western Michigan defensive end Jason Babin was the 27th overall pick (Houston from Tennessee).
Two other Marshall products, tight end Jason Rader and running back Butchie Wallace signed as free agents with the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings, respectively on Sunday.
