Riddick may make Akron history on draft day

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers_rivals]

For the first time in perhaps 40 years, three Akron natives and college stars
are expected to be selected in the NFL Draft this week.

Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, Buckeyes cornerback Doran Grant and West
Virginia defensive end Shaquille Riddick know their impending dream-come-true
moments will only be strengthened by their friendship and intertwined stories.

“It’s definitely a blessing to be in this draft with real close friends,”
said Riddick, who graduated from Akron Early College High School and played sports
for Buchtel. “It’s not that normal to see that many
people from Akron get drafted the same year.”

“We talk about it all the time,” said Grant, a St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
graduate.

Forty years after Brown (Garfield High School, Michigan, drafted by Pittsburgh
Steelers in first round), Poole (Garfield, Kent State, Browns in ninth round)
and Merrow (Firestone, West Virginia, Atlanta Falcons in 11th round) were
drafted by the NFL, Smith, Grant and Riddick are eager to represent Akron at the
next level.

To read the entire article, go to
http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/2...iends-from-akron-expect-to-be-picked-1.587310

 

[tOSUaluminWVa]

Antoine Winfield is my favorite Akron native to have played in the NFL. Chris Spielman has said that Winfield is the best tackler, pound-for-pound, that he has ever seen.

 

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers_rivals]

Antoine Winfield is my favorite Akron native to have played in the NFL. Chris Spielman has said that Winfield is the best tackler, pound-for-pound, that he has ever seen.

Jerry Merrow wasn't too shabby, either. Firestone High, same school that gave the world The Black Keys (Patrick Tucker, Dan Auerbach both began making music at Firestone).

Frank Stams did OK.

And Ara Parseghian, although he was far better as a coach.

And, if you want to go to the 1930s, probably the best Akron native in the NFL, Cliff Battles.

Yeah, I'm really old. :uzi: