PROVO -- Dustin Rykert, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive lineman became an Oakland Raider on Sunday--the 31st pick in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Spencer Nead, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight was the only other Cougar taken in this year's draft, selected in the seventh round by the New England Patriots. Five other BYU players have signed free-agent contracts, and will be participating in mini-camps with their respective teams this week.
Receiver Reno Mahe signed a free-agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, Isaac Herring will join Rykert in Oakland after inking with the Raiders, Gabriel Reid has signed with the Cleveland Browns, Ben Archibald signed on Sunday with the San Francisco 49'ers and Bret Engemann has signed with the Oakland Raiders.
This year's draft marks the third straight season a BYU tight end has been selected in the seven-round process, while Rykert becomes the first BYU offensive lineman to be drafted since Matt Johnson was selected in the fifth round by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2001 draft.