Archives > Sports > Schools
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Trio of former West players headed to NFL following draft
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@acnpapers.com
Day 3 of the 2010 NFL Draft may have been for hardcore football fans, but Saturday was also a day for many dreams to come true.
One of those dreams belongs to Plano West alumnus Jordan Pugh. The defensive back from Texas A&M was taken in the sixth round of the draft by the Carolina Panthers. Pugh was selected with the 202nd overall pick.
“When I saw Carolina, I was like, ‘what,’” Pugh said. “But it’s great. I will love to play for this organization.”
“No, it’s not really a surprise at all,” said Mike Hughes, West head football coach and cluster athletic coordinator. “The No. 1 thing about Jordan was his outstanding character. You combine that type of character with his work ethic and you get someone that has a chance to play at the next level.”
After graduating from West in 2006, Pugh saw playing time for A&M right away and eventually became a three-year starter. Not to say he didn’t bounce around some as Pugh was a cornerback as a freshman and junior but a safety as a sophomore and senior.
Pugh was second on the Aggies last season with 84 tackles. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound former Wolf was named second team all-Big 12 as a free safety as he also had three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and nine passes defensed in his final season with Texas A&M.
Those numbers were indicative of a productive collegiate career.
Pugh played 50 games for the Aggies, starting 37 of them. During that time, Pugh amassed 221 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, four interceptions and 19 passes defensed. He also returned 14 punts for 77 yards.
Carolina general manager Marty Hurney and head coach John Fox apparently liked what they saw when they looked at Pugh. His 4.4 speed and 40-inch vertical leap are indicative of the athletic tools he possesses.
His versatility was a selling point as well.
“[Pugh] is a safety who can run and has good acceleration,” Hurney said. “We like him at safety, and he could even have some corner skills.”
The former West and A&M standout doesn’t appear to be overly concerned about just where he will be on the field.
“Whatever position they want me to play, I'm willing to play,” Pugh said. “I just want to play my role and help the team win. It really doesn't matter which one I play; as long as I’m out there playing and being an addition to the team, I’ll be fine.”
Former West twins sign pro contracts
Pugh isn’t the only West alumnus preparing for the NFL as Kyle and Korey Bosworth have signed free agent contracts.
The twins, who were known as Kyle and Korey Miller with the Wolves, graduated high school in 2005 and were part of West’s lone district championship squad.
“Kyle and Korey were our [linebackers] for that 2004 team and we had one of the best defenses in the Metroplex,” Hughes said. “Just like with Jordan, the character and work ethic of those two guys is great. They are the type of players that you have to run out of the weight room.”
After turning 18, the Millers changed their last name to Bosworth. If that last name sounds familiar, it’s because the twins are nephews to former NFL bad boy linebacker Brian Bosworth. The Bosworths went on to play for UCLA, but neither was selected during the 2010 NFL Draft.
The dream didn’t stop there for the brothers though as the 6-foot-1, 233-pound Kyle signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars while the 6-foot-1, 244-pound Korey inked a contract with the Denver Broncos.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Plano West «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
