Burns, Johnson Selected on Day Two of NFL Draft
April 27, 2003 | Football
April 27, 2003
For the seventh time in school history at least four University of Louisville football players were plucked from the draft board as safety Curry Burns and cornerback Chris Johnson heard their names called in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft by Houston and Green Bay, respectively.
Burns and Johnson join teammates Dewayne White (second round to Tampa Bay) and Dave Ragone (third round to Houston) among the list of names called during the '03 NFL draft, marking the sixth time in school history and the first since 1997 when Sam Madison, Tyrus McCloud, Carl Powell and Leland Taylor were drafted, that four U of L players were chosen in the same draft.
A 2001 second team All-Conference USA selection and the defensive MVP of the '01 AXA Liberty Bowl, Burns was selected with the third pick of the seventh round (No. 217 overall) by Houston were he figures to once again team with Ragone. The Cards' leading tackler in each of the last two seasons, the hard-hitting safety ranks among the all-time leaders at U of L with 346 career tackles (No. 10) and 17 career pass breakups (No. 8).
"I'm excited to get out there and prove myself all over again," said Burns, the only defensive back selected in the draft by Houston. "It's a next-level challenge for me and it's something that I've waited for my whole life.
A transfer from Blinn Junior College where he was an honorable mention all-America selection as a sophomore, Johnson made eight starts for the Cards, including seven as a senior, during his two-year U of L career. The speedy cornerback, who was selected with the 31st pick of the seventh round (No. 245 overall) by Green Bay, made a name for himself during workouts leading up to the draft by running the nation's fastest time in the 40.
"I feel extremely blessed right now," Johnson said. "There are many talented athletes who didn't hear their names called and I just really feel blessed to be among the few players who have the chance to play at the next level.
