Bruce Gradkowski Selected by Tampa Bay in Sixth Round of NFL Draft
4/30/2006 12:00:00 PM | Football
April 30, 2006
Bruce Gradkowski became the first University of Toledo quarterback chosen in the NFL Draft in 30 years when Tampa Bay selected him in the sixth round today. Gradkowski was the 25th pick of the sixth round and the 194th pick overall.
The last Rocket QB taken in the NFL Draft was Gene Swick in 1976 (fourth round-Cleveland Browns).
"I'm very excited. I couldn't have been picked by a better team than Tampa Bay," said Gradkowski. "Learning under Coach (Jon) Gruden is going to be amazing."
Gradkowski set 19 school records in his three years as a starter at UT, including most yards (9,225), most touchdowns (85) and highest completion percentage (68.4), and was 26-10 as a starter. He was a first-team All-MAC selection as a senior and was co-MVP along with Western Michigan wide receiver Greg Jennings. Gradkowski finished his career at Toledo with five touchdown passes in a 45-13 victory over UTEP in the GMAC Bowl on Dec. 21. His stock rose thanks to a solid performance in the East-West Shrine Game and impressive workouts at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
Gradkowski, who watched the draft at home in Pittsburgh with his family, said he will be leaving for Tampa on Thursday for a weekend mini-camp. He added that he spoke to Gruden on the phone shortly after he was drafted.
Said Gradkowski, "Coach Gruden told me they were excited to have me on the team, that it doesn't matter what round I was drafted in, they wanted me and they have big plans for me."
Recent Rockets Taken in NFL Draft
2006 Bruce Gradkowski, QB - Tampa Bay, 6th (194th)
2005 Nick Kaczur, OL - New England, 3rd (100th)
2003 Carl Ford, WR - Green Bay, 7th (256th)
2002 Chester Taylor, RB - Baltimore, 6th (207th)
