By By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
GREENVILLE — One day, East Carolina tight end Davon Drew wants to return to his hometown of New Bern and work at a recreation center where he can help kids harness the skills they need to be successful in both life and sports.
That dream may have to be put on hold, so that the ECU senior can chase another dream. The dream of playing in the NFL.
The Pirates’ bulky tight end continues to rise up draft boards as he proves that he’s more than just a blocking tight end. Most of the top recruiting websites project Drew to be a sixth or seventh round selection in next April’s NFL Draft.
Sports Illustrated’s Tony Pauline has called Drew one of the top risers in the 2009 NFL Draft, and most scouts believe that he’s the Pirates’ best NFL prospect.
Coach Skip Holtz believes that that the 6’4”, 260-pound Drew has developed into a top-tier tight end.
After a six-catch, 86-yard performance in the Pirates’ 13-10 overtime win over Central Florida last week, Drew has already set a career-high with 20 catches for 300 yards on the season, including a 39-yard scoring strike from senior Patrick Pinkney in ECU’s loss to N.C. State.
Another thing that Drew’s teammates like about him is his unselfish demeanor.
His team-first attitude is the reason he became a tight end in the first place. In 2005, Drew was listed as a reserve quarterback, but coach Holtz convinced him to convert into a tight end. Drew hit the weight room hard, and added more than 40 pounds to his 6’4” frame.
Drew has now started 21 games at tight end for the Pirates over the last three years. He’s caught 55 passes for 583 yards and six touchdowns in his career.
And he could be catching a lot more next year.