University of Memphis Athletics
Albert Means First Tiger Selected in AAFL Draft
Jan 26, 2008 | Football
Jan. 26, 2008
MEMPHIS, TENN. - Former University of Memphis Tiger defensive lineman Albert Means (2001-04) was the first UM football player selected Saturday in the first-ever draft of the All-American Football League. Means was selected by Team Arkansas in the third round as the 13th overall pick.
Team Arkansas, which will play its games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, is coached by Ron Calcagni. Calcagni was the Arkansas Razorbacks' quarterback in the late 1970's under coach Lou Holtz. In 1977, he led the Razorbacks to a 10-1 record, ending with a 31-6 upset of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
Also selected in the draft were defensive lineman Marcus West (2002-05) and offensive lineman Bobby Garafolo (2003-2005). West was selected by Tennessee in the 26th round as the 155th pick of the draft, while Garafolo was picked by Texas in the 47th round as the 279th selection. Team Tennessee is coached by former Vols quarterback Andy Kelly and will play its games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Team Texas is coached by former University of Houston coach John Jenkins and is in negotiations to play at Rice Stadium.
The AAFL is made up of six teams in Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, Florida. Teams will bring 60 players to training camp and will have game-day rosters of 46. Games will be played on Saturdays from April 12 to July 5. Player salaries will range between $50,000 and $100,000. A college size football will be used and officials will come from the NFL. Some of the rules are based on the college game, such as receivers needing to have one foot in bounds and a live ball on PATs. Overtimes will be played like the college game, but offenses will start on the 35-yard line.
There are three requirements for players to be eligible for the draft pool: Players must have attended a combine, workout or tryout; or they must have a written scouting report from an AAFL coach or League personnel on file at the League office; players must have signed an AAFL Draft Eligible Player Agreement; and each player must have verification of a college degree (official transcript) on file at the League office.
Each team has protected a list of players who played college football in the team's home state or in one of that team's protected states. A supplemental draft will be held on Feb. 16, 2008. The supplemental draft pool will include all players who were not selected in the draft, players who were recently released or waived from the NFL and players who did not have verification of a college degree before Jan. 26. Each team will select 10 players in the supplemental draft, and will be able to protect three players.
