April 27, 2008
O'Connell Bio in PDF Format | Schmitt Bio in PDF Format | Swain Bio in PDF Format | Schilens Bio in PDF Format
SAN DIEGO - Four San Diego State players were selected on the second day of the NFL Draft, marking the most Aztecs selected in the NFL Draft since the 1997 season and matching the most since five players were picked in 1988.
Former San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, and former Aztec long snapper Tyler Schmitt went in the sixth round to the Seattle Seahawks. A pair of SDSU wide receivers were picked in the seventh round as Brett Swain went to the Green Bay Packers and Chaz Schilens went to the Oakland Raiders.
O'Connell was the 31st pick in the third round and the 94th overall selection. He was the fourth player taken by the Patriots and the first offensive player taken by the team. New England selected Tennessee outside linebacker Jerod Mayo in the first round, Colorado corner back Terrence Wheatley in the second round and Michigan outside linebacker Shawn Crable earlier in the third round.
O'Connell becomes the first Aztec drafted since 2006 (Freddy Keiaho and Jeff Webb), and the first SDSU quarterback selected on draft day since Dan McGwire in 1991.
O'Connell started 33 games and was a four-time team captain with the Aztecs. He ended his career as the school's all-time leader in rushing yardage for a quarterback (1,312 yards) and rushing touchdowns by a QB (19) and ranked third in passing yardage (7,689 yards) and second in both attempts (1,151) and completions (664). As a senior, O'Connell completed 257-of-439 passes for 3,063 yards with 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 408 yards.
The Patriots, who were Super Bowl champions in 2003 and 2004, completed a perfect regular season in 2007 before losing to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.
Schmitt was the 23rd pick in the sixth round and the 189th overall selection. He was the fifth player selected by the Seahawks, which went 10-6 last season, won the NFC West and won a playoff game.
Schmitt served as the Aztec long snapper for four seasons, earning special teams' most valuable player during the 2007 campaign. San Diego State head coach Chuck Long has called him the best long snapper he has ever been around, at any level.
SDSU had a pair of receivers selected in the seventh round, marking the eighth time in school history that two Aztec receivers have been picked in the same draft. Swain was the 10th pick in round seven (217th selection overall) and Schilens was the 19th pick in the same round (226th selection overall).
Swain played in 44 games and made 26 starts while playing for the Red and Black. He showed amazing consistency, catching a pass in each of his final 26 games, making four or more grabs in 18 of his final 24 contests. A second-team all-Mountain West Conference performer as a senior, Swain caught 58 passes for 973 yards and five touchdowns last season. A native of Carlsbad, Calif., he ended his collegiate career with 135 receptions, 1,893 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Schilens saw action in 35 games and ended his San Diego State career with 103 catches, 1,603 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He caught 35 passes for 679 yards in just eight games during his senior campaign. A team captain last season, Schilens started 17 consecutive games at one point during his career. He led all MWC receivers by averaging 100.7 receiving yards per conference game in 2007.
The Aztecs have now had four receivers selected in the NFL Draft since 2003 and 11 receivers since the 1990 NFL Draft.
This marks the third time in the last four seasons that at least two San Diego State players were selected in the NFL Draft. In 2005, Matt McCoy (Philadelphia), Kirk Morrison (Oakland) and Marviel Underwood (Green Bay) were taken, while in 2006 Freddy Keiaho (Indianapolis) and Jeff Webb (Kansas City) were both selected.
The last time four Aztecs were selected was in 1997, when Will Blackwell (2nd round to Pittsburgh), Nathaniel Jacquet (5th round to Indianapolis), George Jones (5th round to Pittsburgh) and Ricky Parker (6th round to Chicago) were drafted.