April 29, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former University of Maryland punter Adam Podlesh didn't have to wait long to hear his name called on the second day of the 2007 NFL Draft as he was taken with the second pick of the fourth round (102nd overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Podlesh was the second player taken Sunday which included rounds four through seven, and the first punter chosen in the draft. He was the highest drafted punter since Dustin Colquitt was taken in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
He joined Colquitt and B.J. Sander (third round of 2004 draft by Green Bay Packers) as the only punters taken in the top four rounds of the last five drafts.
Former Terp cornerback Josh Wilson was chosen Saturday with the 23rd pick in the second round (55th overall) by the Seattle Seahawks.
Maryland has had a least two players selected in each of the last eight drafts and had its first punter taken since 1975 (Phil Wagenheim, 10th round by Baltimore Colts).
A four-year starter and two-time Ray Guy Award semifinalist, Podlesh is the only player in Terps history to be named All-Atlantic Coast Conference four times in his career. He was an honorable mention All-America as a senior.
The four-time Academic All-ACC selection started all 48 games in his career and was extremely consistent, averaging between 42 and 44 yards per punt each season.
Podlesh ranked among the top-25 nationally in punting average in each of his final three seasons. His career average of 43.1 yards per punt ranks second in school history and ninth in ACC annals.
RB Josh Allen, DL Conrad Bolston, PK Dan Ennis, OL Stephon Heyer, QB Sam Hollenbach, LB David Holloway and DB Marcus Wimbush are former Terps who hope to sign as free agents.
