University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Hannam Selected in the Fifth Round by Seattle
7/29/2004 8:00:00 AM | Football
Seahawks draft picks at a glance
Monday, April 22, 2002
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER STAFF
TE JERRAMY STEVENS
SCHOOL: Washington
PICK: No. 28. The Seahawks moved down from the 20th spot in the first
round in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. The Seahawks also got the
Packers' second-round pick (No. 60 overall) and sent Green Bay one of its
four picks in the fifth round (No. 156).
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-foot-6, 265 pounds
AGE: 22 (born Nov. 13, 1979)
BACKGROUND: Decided to pass on his final season of eligibility at
Washington, despite missing six games last year with a broken foot. ...
Finished career with 74 receptions for 953 yards, which rank third and fourth
in school history for a tight end. ... Returned from his injury to catch nine
passes for 109 yards in the Huskies' Holiday Bowl loss to Texas. ... Caught a
school single-season record 43 passes for a tight end in 2000, when he was a
second-team all-Pac-10 selection. ... Was a quarterback, wide receiver and
safety at River Ridge High School in Lacey, where he also played basketball
and competed in track. ... Will graduate in June with a degree in American
Ethnic Studies. ... Has had several run-ins with the law, including pleading
guilty to misdemeanor hit-and-run last June and fourth-degree assault while in
high school.
THE SKINNY: Coach and general manager Mike Holmgren went against
his norm twice in selecting Stevens. For starters, this is the first time in 11
drafts as a head coach that Holmgren has selected a tight end in the first round.
Even more telling, Holmgren admits he usually takes players off his draft board
when they have as much off-field baggage as Stevens. He decided to make
Stevens the double exception after a lengthy meeting with him and extensive
research into his past. Stevens fills the team's biggest remaining need, and has
the potential to provide something the West Coast offense has been lacking in
Seattle -- a big target in the intermediate passing game and red zone who uses
his body well to shield defenders from the ball and a tight end with enough
quickness to separate from coverage and stretch the defense.
RB MAURICE MORRIS
SCHOOL: Oregon
PICK: No. 54, 22nd pick in the second round
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11, 208.
AGE: 22 (born Dec. 1, 1979)
BACKGROUND: Became the first back in Oregon history to have
back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, despite sharing time with Onterrio Smith
last season. Ran for 1,049 yards in 2001 and 1,188 in 2000. ... Played two
seasons at Fresno City College, where he broke national junior college
records for rushing yards (3,708), carries (593) and all-purpose yards
(4,487). Also scored 49 touchdowns, including 26 rushing scores in 1998. ...
Ran for 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior at Chester (S.C.) High
School. ... Has six brothers and eight sisters. ... Sociology major.
THE SKINNY: With Ricky Watters an unrestricted free agent and not in
the plans, the Seahawks needed a backup for Shaun Alexander. Morris has
been a productive runner and also displayed soft hands and an ability to pick
up the blitz in the Ducks' West Coast-style offense. He has a different style
than Alexander, with more outside speed. Morris could see action as the
third-down back or a counter-punch runner to Alexander.
DE ANTON PALEPOI
COLLEGE: Nevada-Las Vegas
PICK: No. 60, 28th in the second round.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3, 279
AGE: 24 (born Jan. 19, 1978)
BACKGROUND: Missed half the 2001 season after tearing a knee
ligament, but still led the team with 4 1/2 sacks. Had eight sacks in 2000,
when he was an all-conference selection. Before transferring to UNLV, he
played at Dixie College in St. George, Utah, where he was league MVP in
1999. ... All-state player as a strong safety at Hunter High School in Salt Lake
City. ... Born in American Samoa. ... Social science studies major.
THE SKINNY: A head-scratcher selection, since he was rated as a
second-day pick in many circles. But his injury last season hurt his draft status.
The NFL Draft Report listed Palepoi as the most underrated defensive player
in the country. The Seahawks wanted a pass-rusher and Palepoi has more
bulk than most of the ends in the draft. While he won't push Lamar King,
Antonio Cochran or Brandon Mitchell for one of the starting jobs, Palepoi has
different tools and the potential to provide some needed pressure in the nickel.
CB KRIS RICHARD
COLLEGE: USC
PICK: No. 85, 20th in the third round
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11, 186
AGE: 23 (born Oct. 28, 1978)
BACKGROUND: Three-year starter at USC, where he returned three of
his eight interceptions for touchdowns. Had a career-high 48 tackles last
season. Started on both the right and left side during his career. ... Helped his
draft status with a strong workout at the NFL combine in February, when he
ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds and had a 39 1/2-inch vertical jump. ...
All-league quarterback as a senior at Serra High School in Gardena, Calif.,
where he also played cornerback and ran track -- with bests of 10.5 seconds
in the 100 and 21.4 in the 200. ... Will graduate next month with a sociology
degree.
THE SKINNY: Despite the addition of veteran cornerback Doug Evans in
free agency, the Seahawks wanted another corner in the draft because of their
move into the NFC West, where they will face what VP of football operations
Ted Thompson calls "remarkable passing attacks and receivers." Exactly
where Richard fits won't start to be determined until the minicamp next week,
but his smoothness and solid play attracted the Seahawks. His addition is just
another strike against the return of Ike Charlton, who is unhappy with his role
and was being shopped before the draft.
FS TERREAL BIERRIA
SCHOOL: Georgia
PICK: No. 210, 22nd in fourth round
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2 1/2, 216
AGE: 21 (born Oct. 10, 1980)
BACKGROUND: Started at strong safety in 2000, when he had 83
tackles and three interceptions; and free safety in 2001, when he had 75
tackles. Decided to pass on his final season of eligibility because, he said, "I
felt like it was time for me to move on and try a new challenge in life." ... USA
Today second-team All-USA pick as a senior at Salmen High School in
Sidell, La., when he had 111 tackles. ... Education major. ... First name is a
combination of his father's name, Terry, and his brother's name, Fadreal.
THE SKINNY: A solid hitter who helped his draft stock by improving his
marks from the NFL combine in February during his workout at Georgia --
upping his vertical jump from 36 to 39 inches and lowering his 4.61-second 40
time into the lows 4.4's. He could help on special teams while learning from
starters Marcus Robertson and Reggie Tongue. But Bierria will have to beat
out either Curtis Fuller, a fourth-round pick last year, or ex-CFL player
Maurice Kelly, to earn a roster spot.
DT ROBERT "ROCKY" BERNARD
SCHOOL: Texas A&M
PICK: No. 146, 11th in the fifth round, a pick the Seahawks got Friday for
trading quarterback Brock Huard to the Indianapolis Colts.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3, 294
AGE: 23 (born April 19, 1979)
BACKGROUND: Started at left end for three seasons, finishing his career
with 170 tackles and 12 sacks. Missed the 2000 season after tearing a knee
ligament, but returned to make 69 tackles last year -- the most by an Aggie
down lineman since former Seahawk Sam Adams had 78 in 1993. ... Has
excellent speed-to-strength ratio -- with a 4.96-second time in the 40 and 33
reps with 225 pounds at the combine. Also has a 475-pound bench press and
a 575-pound squat. ... Prep all-American at Sterling High School in Baytown,
Texas, where he had 102 tackles his senior season. ... Has gone by "Rocky"
since his parents started calling him that as a child. ... Agricultural economics
major.
THE SKINNY: The Seahawks kind of D-lineman -- big, strong and
versatile. While he played end in college, the Seahawks will use him primarily
at tackle because he possesses elements the other interior linemen don't -- a
bigger body combined with the ability to play on the edge. The Seahawks will
keep nine D-linemen, and Bernard will factor into the mix.
TE RYAN HANNAM
SCHOOL: Northern Iowa
PICK: No. 169, 34th in the fifth round, a compensatory pick.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2 1/2, 251
AGE: 22 (born Feb. 24, 1980)
BACKGROUND: Started the past two seasons in West Coast-style
offense, although he shared time in 2000. Caught 34 passes last year and had
five touchdown catches in 1999, his career bests. ... Northern Iowa was the
only school to offer him a scholarship out of St. Ansgar (Iowa) High School,
where he was a three-time all-district selection as a defensive lineman and also
lettered in baseball and track. "It ended up being an awesome place for me to
go, and it has been a great experience," Hannam said.
THE SKINNY: The Seahawks want to take five tight ends to training
camp, and Hannam completes the pile. While he can't be expected to
challenge Stevens or Itula Mili, Hannam's receiving skills should allow him to
compete for the third spot with Russell Stewart.
OT MATT HILL
SCHOOL: Boise State
PICK: No. 171, 36th in fifth round, a compensatory pick.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-6, 300
AGE: 23 (born Nov. 10, 1978)
BACKGROUND: Made the move from defensive tackle to offense twice,
finally sticking and starting at right tackle in 2000 and 2001. Did not allow a
sack the past two seasons. ... Arrived at Boise State weighing 225, but added
almost 60 pounds the following summer. "From then on, I have just slimmed
down and got my coordination back from all that," he said. "And I've slowly
been putting on weight from then on, too." ... Was an all-state defensive end at
Grangville (Idaho) High School, where he also lettered in basketball and track.
... An honor student who has a triple major in political science, social
science/secondary education.
THE SKINNY: Hill played for the Seahawks coaching staff in the Senior
Bowl, and line coach Tom Lovat called this pick because he liked Hill's work
ethic and attitude. But drafting him won't stop the Seahawks from trying to find
a veteran backup to Walter Jones and Chris McIntosh.
P CRAIG JARRETT
SCHOOL: Michigan State
PICK: No. 194, 22nd in sixth round
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2 1/2, 218
AGE: 22 (born July 19, 1979)
BACKGROUND: Punted for Spartans the past four years, averaging 43.8
yards in 1998, 43.5 yards in '99, 40.8 yards in 2000 and 43.6 yards last year.
Had six punts blocked last year, including four in one game. Also holds for
field goals and PATs. ... All-state punter at Martinsville (Ind.) High School,
where he averaged 44.5 yards and had five punts of 50-plus yards -- including
two 70-yarders. ... History major.
THE SKINNY: Another "never say never" for Holmgren. He never had
drafted a punter, until yesterday. Jeff Feagles "is our punter," Holmgren said.
But with Feagles entering his 15th season and the Seahawks having 10 picks
-- including the two compensatory picks in the fifth round -- Holmgren felt he
could use one on a punter to compete with Feagles.
QB JEFF KELLY
SCHOOL: Southern Mississippi
PICK: No. 232, 21st in seventh round
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2, 226
AGE: 22 (born Sept. 7, 1979)
BACKGROUND: Three-year starter at the school that also produced
Brett Favre, who played for Holmgren in Green Bay. ... Kelly passed for
2,613 yards last year, 2,381 yards in 2000 and 21 touchdowns in 1999. ...
Passed for more than 5,000 yards at Citronelle High School in Deerpark,
Ala., including 2,043 yards as a senior. ... Graduated in three years and then
got his masters in business administration.
THE SKINNY: When Huard was traded to the Colts on Friday, you knew
Holmgren would spend one of his draft picks on a QB. Somebody has to be
No. 3. "I like smart quarterbacks, and Jeff is definitely a smart one," Holmgren
said. He'll also sign an undrafted college QB to provide a fourth arm for
training camp.
--Clare Farnsworth