Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Jets take Sanchez’s best friend in seventh round of draft

Mark Sanchez was watching the NFL draft with his best friend when his buddy got a call. It was the New York Jets letting him know that they had taken him with the 227th pick.

Scotty McKnight, a wide receiver from Colorado, has known Sanchez since they were youngsters in Southern California. In a conference call with reporters, McKnight expressed his excitement about getting drafted by a playoff team quarterbacked by his best friend:

"Are you kidding me? I'm teaming up with a great organization, a great team and being together with my childhood buddy who I grew up with. We have never played on the same team together. We've just always been chained together. [...]

"It's a dream come true. It's cool. I'm just ready to make the most out of the opportunity."

Sanchez and McKnight met while attending the same elementary school in Southern California. Later, they volunteered as ball boys at Santa Margarita High School while Carson Palmer was quarterback and stayed close despite attending different high schools.

McKnight was only a walk-on at Colorado but managed to finish his career as the school's all-time leader in receptions and receiving touchdowns. If he makes the Jets, it will likely be as a special teamer or slot receiver.

Through his friendship with Sanchez, McKnight had met many of the Jets coaching staff while he was in college. He had a chance to impress them earlier this year at Colorado's pro day, where he caught balls thrown by Sanchez. And, of course, he came highly recommended by the Jets QB.

"He's the best guy who didn't go to the Combine," Sanchez said recently of his friend to Pro Football Talk.� "He didn't drop a ball [at Pro Day].� He'd be a steal for someone."

Marla Sokoloff Jennifer Love Hewitt Tina Fey Gina Philips Jamie Gunns

No comments:

Post a Comment