Raiders draft Pryor

Oakland forfeits third-round pick

August 23, 2011|By Josh Dubow, Associated Press

Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, with agent Drew Rosenhaus… (Rebecca Droke/Associated…)

NAPA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders used a third-round pick yesterday in the NFL’s supplemental draft to select former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

The team and the league announced that Oakland used the 18th selection of the round for Pryor. Oakland forfeits its third-round selection in the 2012 college draft.

Pryor’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said his client was excited about going in the third round after waiting until last Thursday to find out he’d even be eligible for the supplemental draft and not working out for teams until Saturday.

“We’re tickled and thrilled that Terrelle went in the third round and to the Raiders,’’ Rosenhaus said. “The third round is quite an accomplishment for a young man who had his pro day 48 hours ago and didn’t know he would be in the draft until Thursday morning and wasn’t able to meet with any decision makers.’’

Pryor immediately headed to the Bay Area after being drafted and Rosenhaus said he hoped to finalize a contract as soon as possible to get Pryor on the practice field. Rosenhaus has already negotiated a third-round deal with the Raiders this summer with rookie cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke.

“We’re optimistic this will be a smooth negotiation,’’ he said. “We enjoy working with the Raiders and he’s very excited.’’

Pryor will be able to practice immediately after signing and play in the remaining two exhibition games. But he will not be eligible to practice with or play for Oakland during the regular season until the team’s sixth game.

When he was allowed to enter the supplemental draft, he was handed a five-game suspension by Commissioner Roger Goodell - the same number of games he would have sat out had he returned to Ohio State. Pryor has said he will not appeal the suspension.

Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes after an investigation into the team’s memorabilia-for-cash scandal.

His selection by the Raiders hardly is surprising. Oakland often makes bold moves in the draft because owner Al Davis covets size and speed. Pryor ran a 4.36 in the 40 during his workout for 17 NFL teams Saturday. At 6 feet 5 inches and 232 pounds, he is similar in height to JaMarcus Russell, the quarterback chosen No. 1 overall by the Raiders in the 2007 draft.

But Pryor is much more mobile. As a junior, Pryor had his best season statistically, throwing for 2,772 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also ran for 754 yards and four TDs while helping the Buckeyes win the Sugar Bowl.