Bubin and Morton Taken in NFL Draft
April 25, 2004 | Football
April 25, 2004
With the 159th pick of the 2004 National Football League Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Illinois offensive tackle Sean Bubin. With the 233rd pick of the 2004 National Football League Draft, the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots selected Illinois cornerback Christian Morton. Morton joins fellow Illini secondary teammate Eugene Wilson, who earned a ring as a starting safety with the Patriots in his rookie season. The two become the 13th and 14th players drafted from Illinois during the Ron Turner era.
Bubin was a three-year starter for the Illini at left tackle on two record-breaking offensive units. In 2001, the squad averaged 420 yards of total offense per game (3,327 passing and 1,714 rushing) and quarterback Kurt Kittner set a touchdown pass record. Just one year later, the line helped lead Antoineo Harris to a school-record 1,330 yards rushing and recorded nearly 450 yards of total offense a contest (1,968 rushing and 3,388).
" I didn't sleep much last night, I've been so nervous," Bubin said. "I've been sitting around my parents' house today waiting for the phone call. I got it about five seconds before my name popped up on the television. My mom had to leave for work, but my dad had the biggest smile on his face.
"I got a chance to spend a lot of time with Jacksonville at the combine and I thought they felt good about me. I just can't wait to get down there, meet my teammates and start learning the offense. I want to help out as much as I can, lend my skills and athletic ability."
When asked about taking inspiration from former Illini Dave Diehl (who was a fifth round pick last season and started for the New York Giants in 2003) Bubin added, "Dave is an awesome teammate and player and he went in and worked hard and look at him now. He is a starter for the Giants and we got to watch him succeed in his first season. I learned that it doesn't matter where you are drafted, it's what you do once you are in camp."
Morton finishes his career as a three-year starter at cornerback, ranking second on Illinois' all-time passes broken up list with 41. As a sophomore, he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors with 70 tackles, four interceptions (two for touchdowns) and 26 passes broken up. Morton also is a huge contributor in special teams. In his career, he averaged 11.2 yards per punt return with a high average of 24.4 in 2001. He also spent three years as a kickoff returner, ranking seventh in the school's record books for career yardage.
"This has been one of the longest days of my life," Morton said. "A lot of teams called and said that I would be taken with their next pick, and then it wouldn't happen. I was so happy when New England called and Coach (Bill) Belichick said `Congratulations you're a Patriot.'
"This is just a blessing. I just have to thank God for the opportunity and now I have to make the most of it," Morton added.
On joining Wilson in New England, Morton said, "At least I know I have a place to stay now. Eugene just called a minute ago and I said `Get my room ready.' It's going to be great with Eugene, he's been in the system for a year. I know I can trust Gino. Many guys would think that you are coming after their job, but I have known Gino for five or six years and I know I can trust him. "
