Six Huskies headed to NFL

May 12, 2014, 12:00 AM

As one chapter ends, another begins. Six former Washington football players experienced that firsthand this weekend. On Friday, two UW stars, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and running back Bishop Sankey, were selected in the second round of the NFL draft. They were the only two players from the UW picked in the seven-round draft, which took place Thursday through Saturday. However, four Huskies signed contracts as free agents after the draft. Seferian-Jenkins was the first UW player and second tight end picked, going 38th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sankey, meanwhile, was the first running back picked, going 54th to the Tennessee Titans. It was the longest wait in draft history for the first running back to be chosen. A three-year starter, Seferian-Jenkins set school records for most receptions (146), yards (1,838), and touchdowns (21) for a tight end. He won the Mackey Award for the nation’s best tight end in 2013. Seferian-Jenkins will join three former Huskies in Tampa Bay: Safety Dashon Goldson, defensive end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, and linebacker Mason Foster. Sankey developed into one of the best ball carriers in UW history over the past two seasons. He owns the school record for most rushing touchdowns with 37. During the 2013 season, Sankey set the UW record for most rushing yards in a season with 1,870. He joins former UW quarterback Jake Locker in the Titans’ backfield. Sankey does, however, face the daunting task of replacing former 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson as Tennessee’s main back. While those two had their moment Friday, four others had to wait until after the conclusion of the draft on Saturday. Those four players all signed with different NFL teams. Quarterback Keith Price, a three-year starter for the Huskies, won’t have to move far after signing a contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Price, the UW’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns and passing efficiency, is one of five quarterbacks on the Super Bowl champions’ roster, and he may face an uphill battle to remain on the roster once the season starts. Also signing with an NFC West team was wide receiver Kevin Smith, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Smith came on in a breakout senior season, finishing second on the team with 50 receptions and third with four touchdown catches. Greg Ducre will also stay in the West after signing with the San Diego Chargers. The cornerback started all 13 games last season for the Huskies, intercepting two passes and forcing a fumble. Lastly, kicker Travis Coons will join his former teammate Sankey in Nashville after signing with the Titans. After an up-and-down junior year, Coons was nearly perfect in 2013, missing just one field goal and one PAT. Reach Sports Editor Daniel Rubens at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @drubens12

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