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Raiders draft Ohio State QB Pryor

Published: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 1C
Last Modified: Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2013 - 10:50 am

NAPA – The Raiders satisfied their legendary need for speed once again Monday, taking Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the third round of the NFL's supplemental draft.

After Pryor clocked 4.36 seconds for 40 yards at his pro day Saturday, it was all but a slam dunk that the Raiders would pursue him. They have drafted the fastest player at the NFL scouting combine the past three years: cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke this year, wide receiver Jacoby Ford last year and Darrius Heyward-Bey in 2009.

The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Pryor's time would have ranked fourth at this year's combine, a remarkable feat for someone so big, and it raises the possibility of him moving to wide receiver or tight end one day.

"This young man is a quarterback," Raiders coach Hue Jackson said. "That's where he's going to (begin), and we'll go from there.

"The guy had a very storied career at Ohio State. He can throw it; he can run with it. He's smart, he's tough, he's played in big games. He's another young athlete that we'll add to the mix that plays quarterback, and we'll work with him and get this guy to be a good player."

Pryor, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, left for the Bay Area from the East Coast shortly after being drafted, but he had yet to sign his contract or report to camp by the end of practice late Monday afternoon.

As soon as he signs, Pryor will be able to practice and play in the Raiders' final two exhibition games. But NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him without pay for the first five regular-season games. That's the number of games he would have missed at Ohio State after his role in a scandal involving the sale of memorabilia, a violation of NCAA rules. During his suspension, he cannot practice with the team but can attend meetings.

Pryor, in an interview with the NFL Network, said he didn't know if he'd even be drafted Monday, let alone as high as the third round.

"I just wasn't sure, especially with the five-game suspension. I had a lot of odds against me, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to play for the Raiders – one of my favorite teams as well," Pryor said. "I'm glad I'm going to be wearing the black and silver."

As a junior last season, Pryor produced his best numbers at Ohio State. He passed for 2,772 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 754 yards and four touchdowns, showing the speed that Raiders owner Al Davis covets.

"Al D. likes speed, and I guess he picked up another guy that's going to be moving out there (on the field)," Raiders running back Darren McFadden said. "He's a great athlete."

Pryor will have at least one familiar face on the Raiders. They drafted Ohio State cornerback Chimdi Chekwa in the fourth round this year.

"He's a great athlete, first and foremost," Chekwa said of Pryor. "He was a real good quarterback in college. He's a tough, hard worker. He worked real hard in college, and I think he'll bring that same work ethic to the NFL, and he'll do good."

Pryor described himself as "a competitive guy, a feisty guy that wants to win and will do anything to win" on the football field.

"I'm just waiting for an opportunity, and when I get it, I'm going to have success."

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Read more articles by Eric Gilmore



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