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April 29, 2003 Athletics Story

Kevin Curtis Taken in Third Round of the NFL Draft

Aggie wide receiver is 74th overall pick by St. Louis Rams

Utah State wide receiver Kevin Curtis became the first Aggie to be drafted by a National Football League team since 1999 as he was selected in the third round as the 74th pick overall by the St. Louis Rams on Saturday.

Curtis, who holds school records for receptions in a season (100 in 2001) and in a career (174 in just two years), was the first Aggie picked since the Atlanta Falcons chose free safety Johndale Carty in the fourth round of the 1999 draft.

Curtis was the highest drafted USU player since Hal Garner was a third-round pick, 63rd overall, by the Buffalo Bills in 1985. He is also the highest drafted USU wide receiver in school history.

The former walkon from Snow (Utah) Junior College led the nation in receptions per game (9.1) in his first major college season in 2001. His 139.2 yards per game were third in the country that season as he earned third-team All-America honors. His totals his junior year were 100 receptions for 1,531 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Last season, Curtis pulled in 74 balls for 1,258 yards and nine scores.

Background & Bio --

Kevin Curtis - Utah State University WR, 5-11, 189, South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS/Snow JC)

Utah State: A great story as playing as a walkon, he led the nation in receptions in his first major collegiate season (2001), which came three years after his last junior college season (1997)... Finished his two-year career as the school's career receptions leader (174) and finished second in receiving yards (2,789).

2002 (Sr.): Ranked sixth in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (114.36), 12th in receptions (6.73) and 59th in all-purpose yardage (117.36)... Became the school's career receptions leader in just two seasons... Had 174 catches with 100 as a junior in 2001 and 74 as a senior in 2002... For his career he finished with 174 receptions for 2,789 yards and 19 touchdowns... The 2,789 yards rank second in school history while the 19 touchdowns are fourth... His 74 catches during the year were the fifth most in school history, while his 1,258 yards were the fourth most... Had 100 yards receiving in seven different games during the season... Had double-figure reception totals against Middle Tennessee State (13) and Boise State (10)... Best yardage games were against New Mexico (180), and Middle Tennessee (177)... Had two catches of 80 yards with another 79-yard reception as well... Started 21 of 22 games in his Aggie career.

2001 (Jr.): The NCAA leader in receptions per game (9.1)... Led the NCAA in receptions per game every week of the season... Also ranked third in the country in receiving yards per game (139.2) and was 20th in all-purpose yardage (141.5)... A third-team All-American and a Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist... Was a walkon (was given a scholarship in the spring of 2002)... Prior to 2001, he had not played in a game since suiting up at Snow (Utah) JC in 1996 and 97 (went on an LDS church mission in 1998 and 1999 and redshirted as a walkon at USU in 2000)... He then became one of the nation's best receivers in his first season of Division I football... Established season school records for receptions (100), receiving yards (1,531), most 10-reception games (6), most 100-yard receiving games (9), and most consecutive 100-yard receiving games (6)... Had the best debut by a wide receiver in USU history with 11 catches for 171 yards in first game against Utah... Recorded the first back-to-back 200-yard receiving games in school history... USU played four ranked teams and five that went to bowl games (Utah, Louisiana State, Oregon, Brigham Young and Fresno State). In those five games he averaged 10.2 receptions and 135.2 yards per game... Was named the team's offensive MVP.

Previous College: Spent the 1996 and 1997 seasons at Snow JC where he earned second-team All-America honors as a wide receiver... Also earned first-team all-conference and team most valuable player honors... Served as a team captain as well... As a freshman had 30 catches for 600 yards and five touchdowns... As a sophomore he recorded 55 receptions for 1,100 yards and 19 touchdowns.

High School: Was a two-year letterwinner at Bingham... Played wide receiver and in the secondary... Earned second-team all-region honors... Also played basketball.

Personal: Born July 17, 1978 in Murray, Utah... Son of Mary Jean and Stuart Curtis... Has three brothers and three sisters... Plans on majoring in marketing and may become a firefighter... Hobbies include golf, ping pong, music, and spending time with friends and family.

Stats --

Receiving Stats

2002 NCAA Statistical Rankings
6th in receiving yards per game (114.36)
12th in receptions per game (6.73)
59th in all-purpose yardage (117.36)

2001 NCAA Statistical Rankings
1st in receptions per game (9.1)
3rd in receiving yards per game (139.2)
20th in all-purpose yardage (141.5)

NCAA Record Book (Season Record Lists as of 2001)
15th - Receiving Yards (1,531)
19th - Receptions (100)
Tied for 20th - Receptions per game (9.1)

School Records (2002 Season)
Career Receptions (174)

School Records (2001 Season)
Receptions (100)
Receiving Yards (1,531)
Most 10-reception games (6)
Most 100-yard receiving games (9)
Most consecutive 100-yard receiving games (6)

2002 Honors
Invited to East West Shrine Game (Did not play)
Invited to Senior Bowl

2001 Honors
Third Team All-America (Associated Press)
Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist
All-Independent First Team (Football News)
All-Independent First Team (collegefootballnews.com)

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