University of Houston Athletics
UH's Routt Becomes Highest Picked Cougar Since 1997
4/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 23, 2005
HOUSTON, Texas - University of Houston cornerback Stanford Routt (Austin, Texas) today was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 38th pick in the second round of the NFL Draft held in New York City. Routt becomes the highest selected Cougar football player since the 1997 draft, when running back Antowain Smith was taken in the first round by the Buffalo Bills with the 23rd selection overall.
Fresh off a Third-Team, All-Conference USA selection in 2004, Routt saw his draft stock soar after his impressive performance at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis back in February. His individual workouts with several NFL teams over the past six weeks also improved his draft status as his big day approached.
Routt lettered four years at Houston, where he also was an All-American sprinter and U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier for the Cougar track and field program. Routt started 26 games in his UH career, including all 11 last season as he finished his career with 136 total tackles, seven interceptions and 23 pass breakups. In 2004, he recorded a career-high 60 tackles, of which an impressive 53 were unassisted.
Routt becomes just the fifth Cougar ever to be drafted by the Oakland Raiders and the first since wide receiver Larry Shepherd was selected in the 12th round by the then Los Angeles Raiders in the 1986 NFL Draft. Routt was the second member of the Conference USA to be tabbed by the pros, following wide receiver Roddy White of UAB who was taken by the Atlanta Falcons with the 27th selection of the first round.
The selection of Routt marks the third straight season a Cougar was selected in the NFL Draft. Last season center Rex Hadnot was picked by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round, and in 2003 safety Hanik Milligan was a sixth-round selection of the San Diego Chargers.
