The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Crowder chosen 56th overall by Denver Broncos in 2007 NFL Draft
04.28.2007 | Football
University of Texas DE Tim Crowder was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 56th pick overall and the 24th pick of the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft on Saturday.
"I talked to Coach (Mike) Shanahan, and I talked with the defensive line coach, and they told me that they would be happy to have me there and I can't wait to get there," Crowder said.
Crowder is the fourth Longhorn selected in this year's draft, giving Texas at least four draft picks for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in the last five years. However, it is only the second time in school history and the first time since 1982 Texas has had four players drafted in the first two rounds. The 1982 class included DE Kenneth Sims (first round), LB Bruce Scholtz (second round), T Terry Tausch (second round) and TE Lawrence Sampleton (second round).
Crowder is the first Texas player chosen by the Broncos since OG Dan Neil in the third round in 1997. Denver has also drafted DE Shane Dronett with the 54th overall pick in the second round of the 1992 draft, OT Chuck Johnson in the fourth round of the 1992 draft and TE Bobby Micho in the 10th round of the 1984 draft.
"The most significant thing you can say about Tim is that when you went to his home for recruiting, he had a bed, a dresser and a bench for lifting weights. That's how tough Tim was," head coach Mack Brown said. "He's a great leader, he's very passionate, he's an emotional guy, so he's a tough guy for our defense. He's grown up so much since he's been here, so we think Tim will be a star."
Crowder was a finalist for the Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end) and a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy (defensive IMPACT player of the year) in 2006. A second-team All-America selection by the Walter Camp Football Foundation as a senior, he ranks third on UT's all-time list with 47 consecutive starts and recorded 190 tackles, 41 TFL, 19 sacks, 76 pressures, 14 PBD, two INTs, eight forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 51 career games. He was a consensus first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2006 when he led the team with 19 TFL, 10.5 sacks and 20 pressures, while posting 58 tackles, three PBD, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
"Tim Crowder came in as a guy not knowing where he would be, and he came in so physically ahead of so many people," said co-defensive coordinator Duane Akina. "To play as a true freshman as a defensive end was really something at that time. He's going to be another one who will have a long pro career."
Crowder is the first Longhorns defensive end drafted since Cory Redding was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2003 draft/
"We kind of put him in the same mold as Cory Redding -- a very physical defensive end that plays with great pad level," Akina said. "He could move inside as time goes on, much like Cory did, but they're very much cut out of the same cloth, not only athletically, but as people, too. Football is so important to him, and I guess that's one of the things about East Texas football players -- it is just kind of a way of life for him."
