Whitley Selected in NFL Draft's Seventh Round
April 30, 2006 | Football
April 30, 2006
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech offensive tackle E.J. Whitley was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. The selection marks the second-straight year that a Texas Tech lineman has been drafted.
"They seemed very excited," Whitley added, referring to the call from Dallas owner Jerry Jones and Head Coach Bill Parcels. "I am right up the alley of a Parcels guy. I work hard and feel like I am prepared to play in his type of offense. I should fit in well."
In addition to hearing his name called, the selection was extra special for Whitley, who will remain instate to play for his childhood favorite.
"I'm excited, and was overwhelmed when they called me and told me they were picking me," Whitley said from his home in Texas City. "They were my team growing up. I idolized Larry Allen. I'm ready to get there, get the play book and learn as much as I can.
Whitley started 39 games in his career, including the final two games of his freshman season and every game since. His versatility was one of his strengths as he played every position along the line, before settling in at tackle in 2004. Whitley anchored an offensive line that aided the Red Raiders in scoring 25 rushing touchdowns in 2005, the most since the 1996 season. The passing offense also flourished with him up front as the unit won its fourth-straight NCAA passing title last season.
Whitley's selection marked the second year in a row that a Texas Tech offensive lineman has been drafted. Former Red Raider center Dylan Gandy (4th, Indianapolis) and offensive tackle Daniel Loper (5th, Tennessee) are both enjoying success in the NFL following their rookie seasons. The selections of Tech linemen the last two seasons are the first back-to-back years for the unit since the 1961-62 seasons when center E.J. Holub (1961) and offensive tackle Pat Holmes (1962) were drafted.
