LSU Tigers Taken in 2010 NFL Draft

The 2010 NFL draft has come and gone and the final rounds have now been selected. Where did the LSU Tigers that were selected in the 2010 draft end up? And who wasn't taken?

As the draft neared, most Tiger fans thought that Brandon LaFell, a wide receiver, would be the first player taken, with Chad Jones, a safety, following close behind in the third round. I thought differently and was right. Chad Jones was drafted as the 76^th overall pick by the New York Giants in the third round on Friday. Brandon LaFell followed as the 78^th selection by the Carolina Panthers.

Chad Jones was an outstanding athlete at LSU, playing both football and baseball. He was a member of the 2009 National Championship baseball team at LSU, where he played multiple positions, including pitcher. Jones started in 19 football games for the Tigers in his three year career, played in 40 games and has 158 tackles to his credit. Other stats include two sacks, five interceptions, 31 punt returns for a total of 336 yards. Jones' longest put return was for 93 yards against Mississippi State last year for a touchdown.

Jones decided to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft. He will be joining former Tiger, Corey Webster in joining the New York Giants. Jones will be a great asset to the Giants, he's a quick thinking and fast runner.

Brandon LaFell, was an outstanding player for the Tigers. He ended his career at LSU being the No. 2 overall receiver scoring touchdowns with 25, No. 3 in receptions with 175 and No. 5 in total yards with 2,517. LaFell led the team in receiving for three straight years from 2007 to 2009. Only two other players have made that accomplishment in school history.

Even though LaFell has great stats as a Tiger, he has also had his share of missed plays. LaFell has dropped a few in his time, and seems to let the ball just slip right through his hands on those critical plays. LaFell will need to tighten up and be more concise in the NFL or else he will not see much playing time.

On Day 4 of the Draft, several other Tigers got their calling in the fourth round of the Draft.

Perry Riley, linebacker originally from Stone Mountain, GA was the 103^rd overall pick by the Washington Redskins. This made his mother's side of the family who is from Virginia very happy. They have been Redskin fans all along.

It is expected that Riley will be switching from outside linebacker to inside linebacker with the Redskins. All the scouts told him he was better suited for the inside position and he said he is open to playing wherever the Redskins put him.

Riley started 22 games for the Tigers, and had 185 tackles in his four years as a Tiger. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award his junior year and also the MVP of the Chick-fil-A Bowl that year. Riley will be joining former Tiger LaRon Landry, a safety, when he joins the Redskins.

The other Tiger taken in the fourth round was Al Woods, a defensive tackle. Woods was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. Woods, from Elton, LA will be staying in his home state, something he thought wasn't about to happen. The Saints had to trade two picks to Arizona in order to get Woods.

Woods only got to start at LSU for one season. Woods was a top rated recruit out of high school and a Top 100 Player. He was also a Reebok All-American, USA Today All-American and a Parade All-America. He is excited to be playing for the home-state team and Super Bowl Champions, the New Orleans Saints.

Trindon Holliday, a kickoff return specialist, was selected by the Houston Texans as the 197^th pick in the sixth round. Holliday is all about speed, as he is the NCAA 100-meter dash champion with a speed of 4.34. Some think Holliday's small size is a disadvantage, but Holliday thinks it is an actual advantage. He is one hot and speedy runner, and able to get in and around bulky figures on the field.

Holliday will turn 24 this coming Tuesday and said this is the greatest birthday present ever.

Charles Scott is a well-known name in collegiate football. Scott broke many records early on as a running back but suffered from an injury his senior year with limited playing time. Scott was taken as the 200^th pick in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Scott's main competition with the Eagles will be Mike Bell, formerly with the New Orleans Saints. Bell was signed as a free agent with the Eagles in the off-season.

There were a few LSU players that did not get a call Saturday that will remain as free agents. They are all three quite talented on the field in their respective positions. I'm a bit surprised that these three players were not selected in the fifth or sixth round. Tight end Richard Dickson, linebacker-safety Harry Coleman and offensive tackle Ciron Black.

Sources:

Jones, LaFell Selected in NFL Draft

Six LSU Players Selected in NFL Draft

Saints Trade Up to Nab LSU's Al Woods in 45h Round