Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron (10) throws a pass against Texas A&M during an NCAA football game in College Station, Texas, in this Sept. 14, 2013, file photo.NEW YORK – It took a few hours on the final day of the NFL draft for A.J. McCarron, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger to finally hear their names called.
They were star quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference, yet will be long shots to become early starters in the pros.
McCarron led Alabama to two national titles, but had to wait until the 164th overall spot to be selected by Cincinnati. Georgia’s Murray went one pick earlier Saturday to Kansas City. LSU’s Mettenberger didn’t go until the sixth round, to Tennessee.
Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas, not nearly as accomplished as the SEC passers, was the first QB chosen, by Arizona in the fourth round.
Murray had a penchant for big plays with the Bulldogs, but the SEC’s career passing leader tore his ACL on Nov. 8 and did not work out during the NFL combine. He figures to compete for a third-string job this year.