University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Lands Five Players In NFL
Apr 23, 2001 | Football
April 23, 2001
Memphis, TN - The University of Memphis football team had three members of the 2000 squad taken in the NFL Draft and two other players have signed free agent contracts with National Football League teams. Safety Idrees Bashir, cornerback Michael Stone and defensive tackle Marcus Bell were all drafted in the first four rounds. Bashir and Stone were selected in the second round, while Bell went in the fourth.
The three players drafted in the first four rounds mark the most U of M players drafted in the early rounds since the 1985 season when defensive back Derrick Burroughs was taken in the first round and offensive tackle Tim Long and defensive back Donnie Elder were taken in the third round.
Bashir, who had one season of eligibility remaining at Memphis, was taken by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round. The Georgia native was the 37th player selected. Bashir had 65 tackles last season and registered two pass interceptions, one of which he returned for 100 yards against Army for a new Memphis record..
Stone, who was a two year starter for the Tigers, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals. He was the 50th player selected and helps continue the Memphis tradition of placing defensive backs in the NFL.
Bell's selection so early in the draft was a pleasant surprise for the Memphian and for the Tiger staff. He was expected to go in the later stages to the draft but was taken in the fourth round by the Cardinals, the 123rd overall pick. He will join his college teammate Stone as roommates for the Cardinal mini-camps.
At the conclusion of the draft, two additional Tiger players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams. Tight end Billy Kendall, a native of Maryland, signed with the world-champion Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Kamal Shakir has inked with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The five total players entering the NFL mark the most for Memphis since 1985 when the Tigers landed six players in the league.
