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April 27, 2009
Click on name for player bios
 Sean Smith went to Miami in the second round. |
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 Paul Kruger was the first Mountain West Conference player drafted. |
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SALT LAKE CITY--Early entries were the first Utes taken in the 2009 NFL Draft. Defensive end Paul Kruger, who had two years of NCAA eligibility remaining, and defensive back Sean Smith, with one year remaining, were both selected in the second round on April 25. Hearing their names called a day later were defensive back Brice McCain in the sixth round and receiver Freddie Brown in the seventh round.
Kruger went to Baltimore as the 57th overall pick and Smith went to Miami four picks later. McCain, native of Terrell, Texas, was called by the Houston Texans as the 188th overall pick. Brown was selected by Cincinnati (252 overall).
Kruger and Smith were the only Mountain West Conference players drafted on the first day. A record 16 MWC players were ultimately selected over the course of the 2009 NFL Draft, held on April 25-26 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Kruger, Smith and Brown will join former Utes on their new teams. Kruger will join defensive lineman Kelly Talavou in Baltimore; Smith will renew his acquaintance with defensive tackle Paul Soliai, who has played for Miami since he was drafted in the fourth round in 2007; and Brown will team up with defensive end Jonathan Fanene, a seventh round pick by Cincinnati in 2005.
Utah's four draft picks were its most since a school-record five Utes were drafted in 2005. Utah also had five draft picks in 1982.
Brent Casteel, the first of several Utes expected to sign free agent contracts, will try out with the Cleveland Browns. If Casteel makes the team, he'll be one of three Utes on the roster, joining quarterback Brett Ratliff and tight end John Madsen.
2009 Utah NFL Draft Picks
Player Position Round Selection/Overall Team Paul Kruger DE 2 25/57 Baltimore Sean Smith DB 2 29/61 Miami Brice McCain DB 6 15/188 Houston Freddie Brown WR 7 42/252 Cincinnati
Player Position Team Brent Casteel WR Cleveland
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