The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Finley selected 91st overall by Green Bay Packers
04.27.2008 | Football
NEW YORK -- University of Texas TE Jermichael Finley was chosen by the Green Bay Packers with the 28th pick of the third round and the 91st overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft on Sunday. There have now been at least three Longhorns drafted for six consecutive years.
"I felt like for a long time that it was going to be Green Bay, so I was excited when I heard they wanted me," Finley said. "Green Bay is a really nice atmosphere, and I like the way they play, so I think I'm going to love to play in Green Bay.
"I said when I decided to come out early in January that I did because I was ready for bigger challenges in life on and off the field, so I'm really excited about being drafted today. I'm ready to get in the NFL and be a productive player for the Packers."
Finley is the third Texas tight end chosen in the last four years, following Bo Scaife in the sixth round of the 2005 draft by the Tennessee Titans, and David Thomas in the third round of the 2006 draft by the New England Patriots.
"From day one when Jermichael committed to play basketball at Arizona, it told everybody about his athletic ability," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "He was a wide receiver that grew into a tight end. He's improved his blocking, has good feet and great speed, wide receiver speed. He's a mismatch with height and has tremendous hands."
Finley becomes the first Longhorn chosen by the Packers since WR Johnny Walker in the eighth round of the 1991 draft.
Finley closed in on UT's single-season reception records for a tight end as a third-year sophomore in 2007. He started all 13 games and caught 45 passes (No. 2 on the UT single-season list) for 575 yards (No. 3 on the UT single-season list) and two TDs. He highlighted the year when he caught four passes for a UT tight end single-game record 149 yards against Oklahoma, including catches of 58 and 55 yards.
"We feel like he's improved with us each year, and he's not even starting to get where he will be in a number of years in the NFL," Brown said. "Jermichael has the potential to be really, really good over time."
A 2006 Honorable Mention Freshman All-American, Finley set UT freshman records with 31 receptions for 372 yards and three TDs that year. He ranks third on the UT all-time tight end list in receptions (76) and sixth in receiving yards (947). He also caught five TD passes. He spent the 2005 season redshirting.
