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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Oher, Jerry Selected in NFL First Round
4/26/2009 | Football
Oher, an offensive tackle, was taken with the 23rd overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens, while Jerry, a defensive tackle, was chosen No. 24 by the Atlanta Falcons. Their selections give the Rebels 19 NFL/AFL first round picks in their history and five in the last six years, most recently Patrick Willis with the No. 11 selection of
Ole Miss joins only Georgia and Southern Cal with two draftees in the first 24 picks.
"It's a good day for Ole Miss and the Ole Miss family," said Rebel head coach Houston Nutt. "These two guys worked hard this year and deserved to be selected in the first round.
"Hopefully, we'll have more, if not today, then tomorrow. We'll definitely have more drafted in the future."
While this marks Ole Miss’ first season with two players drafted in the NFL first round, the Rebels did have one player taken in the NFL first round and another in the AFL first round in 1966, prior to the merger of the two leagues. Stan Hindman was selected 11th by the NFL’s
A two-time All-American and consensus First Team honoree as a senior, Oher is the third Ole Miss offensive lineman to be drafted in the opening round and highest since center Ed Beaty was tabbed No. 10 by the Los Angeles Rams in 1954. Center Chris Spencer was selected No. 26 by
"I'm happy to be a part of the NFL," said Oher, who is the first Rebel to be drafted by the Ravens in their 13-year history. "It has been a long dream. Baltimore just got a great player. I'm not going to let them down. I'm going to give them everything I have. I could have gone in the seventh round. I can't wait to get started."
A First Team All-American and four-time SEC weekly award winner in 2009, Jerry is the Rebels’ eighth defensive player and fifth tackle taken in the first round of the draft. Jerry becomes the highest DT chosen since Tim Bowen was the 20th selection in 1994. Ole Miss’ highest defensive pick came in 1963 with tackle Jim Dunaway going No. 3 overall to
Jerry is the first Rebel drafted by the Falcons since Roell Preston was their fifth-round pick in 1995.
"I'm really excited about being drafted by Atlanta," Jerry said. " I kinda had a good feeling that they would take me, because the Falcons showed me the most interest. Getting a chance to play in the NFL is a dream come true. I'm blessed to have this opportunity."
A native of
“I think a lot of the great players have a chip on their shoulder,” said Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta. “They’ve overcome a lot, particularly Michael Oher. He’s had a lot of adversity. He’s tough-minded. He comes from a tough background, and he’s overcome a lot a lot more than most of us. He’s determined, he’s tough, and I think he’s going to be a great Raven.”
Jerry finished the season first in the SEC in TFLs (18.0), fifth in QB sacks (7.0) and tied for sixth in forced fumbles (2). The Batesville, Miss., native helped the Rebel defense rank No. 2 in SEC and No. 4 in the nation in rush defense (85.5 ypg) and tie for first in the NCAA in TFLs (8.62 pg).
“(Atlanta head coach) Mike Smith’s background is to have an intense, passionate football team and an intense, passionate defense ... Peria is that type of guy,” said Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. “He’s the type of guy that’s going to work day-in, day-out on the field and continue to get better. He’s going to set the tone on the defensive line and help us set the tone on defense.”
