April 27, 2003
Illinois Cornerback Eugene Wilson
With the 36th pick of the 2003 Amateur NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Illinois cornerback Eugene Wilson. Wilson, who led the nation in passes broken up in 2001, becomes the highest drafted Illinois player since Simeon Rice in 1996 (3rd overall) and just one selection ahead of second-rounder Robert Holcombe in 1998 (37th overall).
Wilson, a 2001 All-American and 2002 Thorpe Award Semifinalist, was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in his Illini career and very instrumental in the team's Big Ten Championship season in 2001. Wilson finished his three-year starting career with 176 tackles (139 solos), 11 interceptions and 60 passes broken up. A very accomplished punt returner, Wilson also set Illinois' all-time punt return yardage record last season. For his career he scored twice on punt returns, while averaging 9.6 yard per return.
"I am just happy to be a Patriot," Wilson said. "It is a relief to be done with the whole process and just get on with my dream of playing in the NFL. I had a lot of contact with the Patriots, had a private workout and visited with them. It is great to be picked. I worked hard all this time and it is finally paying off."
When asked about the mood around his house in Merrillville, Eugene added that his parents were more anxious than he was. "I kept my cool. I figured everything would work out for the best. I had my phone on vibrate so no one really noticed that I was talking to them (New England) when my named popped up on the screen. After that things got a lot looser around here.
"It looks like I may have an opportunity to play right away. They need a little youth and I am looking to provide that. The coaches seem really cool and it is a good situation for me."
Illinois Wide Receiver, Brandon Lloyd
With the 27th pick of the fourth round, 127th overall, of the 2003 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Illinois wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd, who declared himself eligible for the draft after his junior year, becomes the second Illini taken this year.
Lloyd finished his career at Illinois ranked second in the record books with 2,583 career receiving yards, 160 catches and 21 touchdowns. The two-time second-team All-Big Ten selection was also a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist in 2002. He caught passes in 28 consecutive games and recorded 12 100-yard games during his career. A big play receiver, Lloyd caught 27 receptions over 30 yards and was a 7-1 high jumper out of high school.
"This feels great (being drafted by the 49ers). Now I finally get a chance to breathe," Lloyd said. "I am going to a great system, one that Coach Turner ran here at Illinois. It is the same terminology. It would have been cool to be drafted in the first or second rounds, but it comes down to how productive you are out on the field. I am really excited about learning from the best receiver (Terrell Owens) in the game."
