Barwin to Houston in Historic Draft

April 24, 2009

The University of Cincinnati set a school record when six players were selected in the 2009 NFL Draft April 25-26 in New York City.

As expected, the first Bearcat selected was Connor Barwin with the 14th pick in the second round by the Houston Texans.

“I didn’t think the Texans were going to call,” Barwin said. “I know I had good meetings with Houston at the combine, but I hadn’t heard much from them since then, so I was kind of surprised.”

How the Texans decide to use Barwin will depend on the defensive set they decide to run. He can line up at defensive end in a 4-3, or as an outside linebacker in a 3-4.

“He is a guy, who, when you talk about [him], the theme is versatility,” said Texans General Manager Rick Smith. “He made a lot of plays and was very productive in any role there at Cincinnati.”

Barwin will join a defensive-line that includes former first overall pick Mario Williams. The Texans are looking for Barwin to assist Williams in getting more pressure on passing downs.

“On third down he can rush the passer,” said Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak.
The Texans could also potentially use Barwin as a tight end.

“I think he can play both sides,” said Kubiak. “If we started tomorrow, he would line up behind Mario Williams as we get going. But he’s going to have the ability to play both sides.”

Two other Bearcats headed to Texas are defensive backs DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens, who were both drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

Smith was chosen with the seventh pick in the fifth round and is happy to be a Cowboy.

“It’s America’s team. Everybody loves them,” Smith said. “It feels good getting your name called in the draft. It’s been a long time coming.”

Some draft experts speculated that NFL teams may be undecided as to what position Smith will play as a professional, but he’s convinced of what kind of player he is.

“I’m going to play corner,” Smith said, “I have a good chance at returning kicks, too.”

Mickens fell all the way to the 18th pick of the seventh round before Dallas chose him with the first of their two seventh-round picks. Some experts had Mickens projected as high as a second-rounder, but health concerns about his injured knee caused teams to pass on the All-American cornerback.

UC’s other All-American, punter Kevin Huber, was picked by a team he knows well, the Cincinnati Bengals, with the sixth pick in the fifth round.

“I’d never have dreamed I would be playing for my hometown team. It’s like a dream come true,” Huber told Bengals.com.

Defensive back, Brandon Underwood was taken by the Green Bay Packers with the 14th pick in the sixth round, and offensive lineman Trevor Canfield was the last Bearcat drafted, taken by the Arizona Cardinals with the 45th pick in the seventh round.