B.J. Coleman, right, stands with his dad, Bryon Coleman, listening to a Green Bay Packers coach invite the former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga quarterback to join the team Saturday just before his name appeared on the NFL Draft telecast.Seven hours of quiet anxiety erupted into a joyous celebration filled with cheers and tears at the Coleman house late Saturday afternoon.
Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga quarterback B.J. Coleman tuned into the third day of the NFL draft when it began at noon with the start of the fourth round. Then he and a small group of family and friends watched and waited as pick after pick was made.
Finally, in the seventh round, with pick No. 243 out of 253 in the draft, the Green Bay Packers gave Coleman a reason to smile as big as he ever has.
“It was absolutely worth the wait,” said Coleman, who threw for 6,871 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons at UTC. “It was tough but I think it was the best spot. I couldn’t have gone to a better team.”
Two former Red Bank High School stars also hooked up with NFL teams Saturday. Defensive back Jeremy Caldwell of Eastern Kentucky said he will sign with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent, and Tennessee Tech wide receiver Tim Benford will sign with the Dallas Cowboys.