On April 23, the Pittsburgh Steelers used the 18th pick in the 2010 NFL draft to select 2009 Rimington Trophy Winner Maurkice Pouncey. The former University of Florida center headlines a list of distinguished players at the position -- including five Rimington Trophy Watch Listers -- taken during the three-day event.

During his introduction to the Pittsburgh media, Pouncey recollected how he felt hearing his name being called during what was the first NFL Draft to be broadcast in primetime.

“It’s so amazing to me. It really hasn’t even hit me yet, but I am so happy I am a Pittsburgh Steeler. I always wanted this ever since I came out and met them at the Combine. This is where I wanted to be at,” Pouncey said.

With the pick, Pouncey becomes the highest drafted Rimington Trophy winner in the award’s history. He also becomes the University of Florida’s third-highest drafted offensive lineman in school history, behind Lomas Brown and Kenyetta Walker.

“I’m proud for Maurkice and his family,” Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer said.

“He has worked so hard to put himself in this position. He loves the game of football and he loves to compete. His passion for the game shows on and off the field and I know a number of NFL teams told us they loved his attitude and his skill set.”

Baylor’s J.D. Walton was the second Watch Lister to be selected. Walton was picked up by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the draft.

Noting that Walton was the second-rated center on their draft board behind Pouncey, Broncos Head Coach Josh McDainels was clearly pleased to have the chance at selecting the Rimington Trophy finalist.

“We were fortunate that he was still there in the third round,” McDaniels said of his new center.

Walton, for his part, expressed excitement about getting selected, but knows he’ll have his work cut out for him.

"I will give the respect to the older guys and have them know that I am there to bust my butt and win games with them. I have to earn that position -- nothing's going to be given to me,” Walton told DenverBroncos.com

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints made Matthew Tennant their fifth pick of the draft, selecting the Boston College center and Rimington Trophy finalist in the fifth round.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton told the media he was impressed by Tennant’s reputation for dependability, as well as his football acumen.

“He’s extremely intelligent. He’s been extremely productive in his career. He has good versatility. When you look at his IQ, he’s been very consistent. You can watch seven games on him and each one looks the same. He makes very few mistakes,” Payton said.

With the pick, Tennant joins a Saints team that is recharged, reloaded, and ready to defend their Super Bowl title.

“I’m ecstatic to be going to a team that had so much success last year, and I plan on going there and contributing and helping add to it this year,” Tennant told the media during a conference call.

Watch Listers Ted Larsen (NC State) and Eric Cook (New Mexico) were also selected during the draft. Larsen was picked up by the New England Patriots, while the Washington Redskins used their fifth pick in the draft to take Cook.


*Photo by Michael Fabus, Pittsburgh Steelers