Pro Deacs Stars Born in Second and Third Rounds
4/30/2021 12:22:00 PM | Football
Some of the best Demon Deacon pros have been taken in the “Day Two” portion of the NFL Draft.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- As the 2021 NFL Draft turns to night two, these rounds have been proven to produce some of the best Demon Deacons throughout the history of the draft.
This list includes multiple All-Pros, Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl Champions. Wake Forest's most recent day-two selection, Jessie Bates III, has turned into an AP All-Pro selection and is widely considered the best safety in the NFL.
All-Pro Performers
Jessie Bates III | Second Round | Cincinnati Bengals | 2017
During his three seasons in the NFL, Bates III has proven himself to be one of the best players at his position in the league including being named an AP All-Pro this past season. Bates III led all NFL safeties this season with a combined 18 interceptions and pass break ups while also finishing second on his team with 109 total tackles. Additionally, he led the Bengals with 15 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Over the past three seasons, he is the only player in the NFL to have over 100-plus tackles and three interceptions during each season.
Bill George | Second Round | Chicago Bears | 1951
Outside of being considered one of the greatest players to ever play at the professional level, George is credited as the first true middle linebacker in football history and, inadvertently, the creator of the 4–3 defense. He was the first in a long line of great middle linebackers for the Chicago Bear defense, paving the way for Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher.
After being selected in the 1951draft, he quickly turned into one of the best in the game. He was elected to eight straight Pro Bowls from 1954-61 as well as being an eight-time All-Pro. George was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974 and the Bears retired his uniform number 61.
Billy Ray Barnes | Second Round | Philadelphia Eagles | 1957
Barnes was drafted in the second round of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He made the Pro Bowl his first three years in the league (1957–1959) and was a key member of the backfield during the Eagles' 1960 NFL Championship team.
During his third Pro Bowl season in 1959, Barnes crossed over the 1,000-yard barrier from scrimmage while finding the endzone seven times on the ground and two through the air.
Super Bowl Champions
Bob Grant | Second Round | Baltimore Colts | 1968
In Super Bowl III, Bob Grant suited up for the Baltimore Colts, becoming the first Demon Deacon to play in a Super Bowl. After falling to Joe Namath and the New York Jets in 1969, Grant and the Colts would be back two years later.
This time, Grant and the Colts hoisted the newly renamed trophy, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, in Super Bowl V.
Grant helped set the standard for future Demon Deacons. He finished his career with five interceptions and is now the Chairman of Board at Retired NFL Players Congress.
Fred Robbins | Second Round | Minnesota Vikings | 2000
After being selected in the second round of the NFL Draft in 2000, he became an immediate impact starter at defensive tackle for the next 11 seasons. He went on to play 180 games, making 148 starts and finished with 35.5 career sacks.
His best six seasons came in New York where he had four seasons with over 5.0 sacks. He was a part of one of the greatest defensive fronts in NFL history, leading the Giants to the Super Bowl XLII victory over the then undefeated New England Patriots. During his career he also earned All-Pro honors during the 2008 season.
Ricky Proehl | Third Round | Arizona Cardinals | 1990
No former Wake Forest player has made more appearances in the Super Bowl than Ricky Proehl. The Deac made four trips in total with three different organizations. He caught key touchdown passes in Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII. Both touchdowns tied the game with under 1:30 to play in the game
Proehl, a 16-year NFL veteran, closed out his career with his second Super Bowl title, helping the Indianapolis Colts win, 29-17, over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
Full List of "Day Two" Selections in Wake Forest History:
Second Round
- 2017 Jessie Bates, III (Cincinnati)
- 2009 Alphonso Smith (Denver)
- 2000 Fred Robbins (Minnesota)
- 1993 Ben Coleman (Arizona)
- 1989 Mike Elkins (Kansas City)
- 1989 David Braxton (Minnesota)
- 1968 Bob Grant (Baltimore)
- 1957 Billy Ray Barnes (Philadelphia)
- 1951 Jim Staton (Washington)
- 1951 Bill George (Chicago Bears)
- 1946 Elmer Jones (New York Giants)
Third Round
- 2010 Brandon Ghee (Cincinnati)
- 2000 Dustin Lyman (Chicago)
- 1990 Ricky Proehl (Arizona)
- 1982 Kenny Duckett (New Orleans)
- 1980 Syd Kitson (Green Bay)
- 1962 Bill Hull (Chicago Bears)
- 1949 Red O'Quinn (Chicago Bears)
- 1946 Dave Harris (Detroit)
