Locals Nassib, Watford drafted 6 picks apart

IN THE FOURTH round of the NFL draft Saturday, the picks at Nos. 110 and 116 could have been announced as Hyped Philly Guy and Unhyped Philly Guy.

Former Malvern Prep and Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, the first of those players to be tabbed (by the New York Giants), long has maintained a national profile and even appeared in individual promos, accompanied by The Heavy's "How You Like Me Now?" that were part of the televised coverage.

Six slots later, the Arizona Cardinals selected a relative unknown in Earl Watford, a guard from Simon Gratz and James Madison University.

Yet, be advised, the 6-4, 300-pound Watford twice earned first-team all-conference honors in the Colonial Athletic Association - the same league that produced Joe Flacco, the most recent Super Bowl MVP - and last season was guilty of allowing just one sack.

Watford played only 2 years of organized football before entering JMU, which plays at the I-AA level.

So far, four Public League 21st century grads have advanced to the NFL. Only one, Jameel McClain (George Washington, Syracuse), played for a I-A program. The others - Jahri Evans (Frankford, Bloomsburg), Brent Grimes (Northeast, Shippensburg) and Dominique Curry (Washington, Cheyney/California) - toiled in the D-II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Of course, in Thursday's first round, Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd (Washington) was picked at No. 23 by Minnesota.

Also selected Saturday, in the sixth round (No. 180) by San Francisco, was Florida State outside linebacker Nick Moody (Roman Catholic). His father, Adrian (1973 and '74), and uncle, Mike Moody ('69), were starters for Catholic League basketball champs at Roman under coach William "Speedy" Morris, now at St. Joseph's Prep.

Georgetown linebacker Robert McCabe (Malvern) signed a free-agent deal with Miami and Rhode Island tight end Joe Migliarese (La Salle) accepted an invite to Baltimore's minicamp.

Penn State linebackers Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti both were drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.

Hodges, of Paulsboro, N.J., was picked in the fourth round, 120th overall. Mauti, whose season ended with a knee injury, was picked in the seventh round.

Hodges made the All-Big Ten first team in 2011 and second team in 2012. He started all 25 games the past 2 years. He was fourth in tackles in the conference in 2012 with 109. He also led the Nittany Lions with seven pass breakups and was tied for second with two interceptions.

Mauti made first-team All-America in 2012. He had 209 career tackles, 13 1/2 tackles for losses, with four interceptions, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Temple running back Montel Harris (Bucs), defensive end John Youboty (Broncos), kicker Brandon McManus (Colts) and offensive lineman Martin Wallace (Browns) signed rookie free-agent contracts.