Eric Page went unselected in the seven-round NFL draft, a stunning blow for the former University of Toledo star receiver who will latch on with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent.
Thirty-three receivers were taken among 253 picks.
Page, a Springfield graduate who broke several receiving records at UT before turning pro after his junior season, was expected to be taken in the middle or late rounds.
A whopping eight receivers were selected in the fourth round — the first of four rounds Saturday. Three receivers were taken in the fifth, four in the sixth — including Ohio University's LaVon Brazill to Indianapolis — and five in the seventh — including Western Michigan's Jordan White.
Other Rockets who signed free agent contracts are Mike VanDerMeulen, who will join Page at Tampa Bay, Desmond Marrow (Houston), and Phil Manley (Atlanta).
The seventh round was 46 picks long because of 14 additional compensatory selections.
UT hasn't had an NFL draft selection since 2008 when offensive lineman John Greco (third round) and running back Jalen Parmele (sixth) were taken by St. Louis and Miami, respectively.
Of note, Baltimore used its fourth round pick on Delaware guard Gino Gradkowski, the brother of UT hall of fame member and current Cincinnati Bengal quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. The Gradkowskis, now rivals in the AFL North, will square off to open the season Sept. 10 at Baltimore and again to end the season Dec. 30 at Cincinnati.
First Published April 29, 2012, 12:18 a.m.
