Article published April 27, 2008
OSU-UM rivalry will live on in NFL
Gholston, Henne, Long will be seeing plenty of each other in AFC East
BLADE STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES
This slice of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry will take place twice a year.
Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long and Ohio State defensive end/linebacker Vernon Gholston were selected by rival teams in the AFC East during the first round of yesterday's NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Long was picked first overall by the Miami Dolphins, which was all but a formality after he signed a five-year contract with the team Tuesday for $57.75 million. With the sixth pick, the New York Jets selected Gholston, who figures to square off against Long for seasons to come.
"I was a little more relaxed just knowing where I was going and just being here to make it official," Long said in a conference call. "That solidified it all. It was just breathtaking to walk out there and shake the commissioner's hand and hold up that jersey. It was a dream come true."
Long will reunite with Wolverine quarterback Chad Henne, whom Miami picked with the 26th pick of the second round (57th overall). Miami also took Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling with the first pick of the second round.
No other Michigan or OSU players were selected. The draft resumes today with rounds 3-7.Gholston wracked up 14 sacks last season and had four games with at least two, including a career-high four against Wisconsin. He also registered the only sack allowed by Long in the Buckeyes' 14-3 win in Ann Arbor.
"The Jets are getting a great player," Long said. "I respect him as a person and as a player. I'm excited for the challenge to play him again."
| MICHIGAN-OSU MULTIMEDIA |
OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN
• When: Saturday, Nov. 22
• Where: Columbus
• Series: UM leads 57-41-6
 VIEW: Past OSU-Michigan Big Game photo gallery
 DOWNLOAD/PRINT: 2007 POCKET GAME GUIDE
LAST THREE
 2007: OSU 14, UM 3
PHOTOS: 2007 slideshow
2006: OSU 42, UM 39
PHOTOS: 2006 slideshow
2005: OSU 25, UM 21
2007 UM RESULTS
• Sept. 1 - APPALACHIAN ST., L 32-34
• Sept. 8 - OREGON, L 7-39
• Sept. 15 - NOTRE DAME, W 38-0
• Sept. 22 - PENN ST., W 14-9
• Sept. 29 - at N'western, W 28-16
• Oct. 6 - E. MICHIGAN, W 33-22
• Oct. 13 - PURDUE, W 48-21
• Oct. 20 - at Illinois, W 27-17
• Oct. 27 - MINNESOTA, W 34-10
• Nov. 3 - at Michigan St., W 28-24
• Nov. 10 - at Wisconsin, L 37-21
• Nov. 17 - OHIO ST., L 14-3
HOME GAMES in BOLD
 HEAR: The Victors (YouTube)
2007 OSU RESULTS
• Sept. 1 - YOUNGSTOWN ST., W 38-6
• Sept. 8 - AKRON, W 20-2
• Sept. 15 - at Washington, W 33-14
• Sept. 22 - N'WESTERN, W 58-7
• Sept. 29 - at Minnesota, W 30-7
• Oct. 6 - at Purdue, W 23-7
• Oct. 13 - KENT ST., W 48-3
• Oct. 20 - MICHIGAN ST., W 24-17
• Oct. 27 - at Penn St., W 37-17
• Nov. 3 - WISCONSIN, W 38-17
• Nov. 10 - ILLINOIS, L 28-21
• Nov. 17 - at Michigan, W 14-3
HOME GAMES in BOLD
HEAR: Carmen, Ohio/Across The Field
READ: Ohio-Michigan Border War (1835-1836) (Wikipedia)
SEE: : OSU-UM past scores |
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The Jets added Purdue tight end Dustin Keller with the 30th pick of the first round.
The selection of Gholston, expected to play outside linebacker in New York's 3-4 defense, was met with big cheers from the notoriously critical Jets fans. They chanted "Ver-non Ghol-ston!" as they waited for the Jets to make their selection, and one fan had a sign that read, "Jets: Let's Score A Ghol!" The 6-foot-4, 264-pound Gholston should boost New York's pass rush, which had just 29 sacks last season.
"I'm going to make things happen," Gholston said moments after his selection.
Long becomes the first Wolverine picked first overall since 1941 when the Chicago Bears took running back Tom Harmon.
Long is only the third offensive lineman in the past 40 years to be taken with the first pick, and he'll be the best-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
"It's crazy to think that," Long said. "But having that over my head makes me go out there and work hard to show people that I've earned it."
Henne was the fourth quarterback taken, coming one pick after Green Bay took Louisville signal caller Brian Brohm. The Dolphins' other quarterbacks include John Beck, a second-round pick last year, and recently acquired Josh McCown. Henne set school career marks in completions (828), attempts (1,387), passing yards (9,715), and passing touchdowns (87), while starting in all 47 games in which he played.
"I don't know if I'll have the opportunity to step in right now," Henne said. "But I'll prepare like I'm going to compete for the starting job."
That could mean preparing for the likes of Gholston, who didn't play football until his sophomore year at Cass Tech High in Detroit. Gholston played offensive line after being overwhelmed at linebacker. He returned to defense as a senior and became a major signing for Ohio State.
Gholston joins kicker Mike Nugent and center Nick Mangold as former Ohio State players drafted in the first two rounds by the Jets.
"He's just one of those guys who does what he's told and works really hard," Nugent told the Associated Press in a phone interview. "He was a freshman when I was a senior, and I remember him being average size, but he has really improved himself."
OSU now trails Southern California for most first round picks in draft history. The Trojans, who placed four in the first round, raised their total to 69 - two more than the Buckeyes.
Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Jason Jones (No. 54 overall by Tennessee) was the only Mid-American Conference player selected yesterday. Expected to be picked today are Bowling Green State University's Kory Lichtensteiger and the University of Toledo's John Greco. The Rockets' Brett Kern and Jalen Parmele are also possibilities.
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