Former Roosevelt High School star Doug Hogue (No. 32, pictured left) just became the latest player from the Lower Hudson Valley selected in the NFL Draft.
The Syracuse senior linebacker was picked in the fifth round — No. 157 overall — by the Detroit Lions. If you recall from Thursday’s story, Hogue said the Lions flew him to Detroit after the NFL combine. He said they didn’t actually work him out, instead using the meeting to interview him and probe him about his thought process on the football field.
Here’s what Lions coach Jim Schwartz said about Hogue on Twitter:
“Hogue made the most sense for us at 157. Work in progress as a former RB, but fits exactly what we’re looking for at LB. Can develop for us.”
Clearly, Hogue has an opportunity to be part of an up-and-coming defense. The Lions had last year’s defensive rookie of the year, DT Ndamukong Suh, and just drafted DT Nick Fairley from Auburn. Fairley is fresh off a BCS National Championship.
UPDATE, 4:38 p.m.: I just talked to Hogue on the phone. His family was just beginning its celebration at his sister Lashonda’s house in Yonkers.
“I’m still on a high right now,” Hogue said. “I’ve seen dudes I played against picked before me, and I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was on the edge of my seat the whole draft.”
Then, linebackers coach Matt Burke called (and soon passed the phone to head coach Jim Schwartz) with Detroit on the clock and asked if Hogue wanted to be part of the Lions. Shortly after, Hogue saw his name pop up on ESPN.
“I started crying,” he said. “My mom was crying. My dad (pictured above at Doug’s last Syracuse home game) got up and walked out of the room because he was crying. It’s still so surreal.”
14 Comments
Congrats,go for it,stay humble,get yours
Couldn’t happen to a nicer kid, I coached against him in HS and he was always a top notch person and player. Great to see section 1 getting some kids in the big dance. Just remember work hard because nothing is going to be handed to you at that level, and like the other blogger said stay humble and enjoy the ride.
Great story and great player! Another Section 1 Kid!!
Lets hope he makes it long enough to get into the Union (when they get re-certified,
). I also hope he is lucky enough to get a signing bonus close to what a 5th round pick by Greenbay got last year, $182k.
http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/packers_sign_5th_round_te_andrew_quarless_to_a_four_year_contract/2864676
I would imagine not a lot after paying off your agent and then taxes. So my advice, lease a nice car as a present to yourself and save the $$$!!!
Good luck Doug!!!......
you have done very well for yourself and for the hogue last name!!!.,,,,
Congratulations, Doug Hogue !!!
http://www.infowars.com
Amazing story. Yonkers kid. Yonkers public school and Yonkers just announced no sports for next year. What might Doug be doing right now if not for Yonkers Public School Sports. Someone should pose that question to the Yonkers politicians making these decisions.
I feel very bad for the kids in Yonkers. But this is a one in how many story? This is another reason you need to hit the books. I am not sure of the percentage but I know that there is a large minority population in the Yonkers schools. If you are a minority and do well in school you can write your own ticket, much better odds than getting an athletic scholarship. It is what it is.
SCOOPY
i totally agree!!.... congrats to doug again!!....
section 1 annouced no contigency plan if no yonkers sports next year…now if what above is true-what is to be done??reschedule football games
if there is no!... yonkers sports!!! the board ed should allow kids to play out of the district and supply buses to drop them off and pick them up!!... i think it’s only fair!!!.....
Great Kid…..Great Person…Congrats Doug, Can’t wait to see you in Detroit….Congrats to the whole family.
scoopy
i agree with you. it will be a shame if they dont play and that at the end of the day their grades are most important.
I’m not saying grades are not the most important thing in these kids lives, but we have a lot of distraction here that swallow up some insanely bright and talented kids. Unless you live here you won’t understand just how important sports can be to the average kid in this city. Don’t agree. Tune in to Channel 12 News next Fall when all these kids have a ton of free time with no sports to occupy them for 3/4 hours a day. God bless whatever teachers are left behind in those schools too. Gonna be kinda crazy.