Four Blue Raiders taken in AAFL Draft

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The inaugural All-American Football League Draft was held on Saturday and four former Middle Tennessee players were selected. Defensive back Reggie Doucet, running back Dwone Hicks, quarterback Andrico Hines, and wide receiver Pedro Holiday were among the 300 players picked.

Doucet was the first Blue Raider taken when Tennessee picked him in the 11th round. The Prunedale, CA, native started five games in 2006 and played in all 13 while registering a career-best 40 tackles, three interceptions, two tackles for loss, and a team-best eight pass breakups.

Hicks, the top running back in the I-A era and among the best of all-time, was selected by Tennessee in the 24th round, while former teammate Hines was taken by Tennessee in the 25th round. Hicks is the school's all-time leading scorer and third all-time leading rusher while Hines ranks ninth on the all-time passing list despite playing just two seasons (2002-03).

Holiday was the last player taken in the draft as he went in the 50th round to Arkansas. Holiday played for the Blue Raiders in 2003 and 2004.

The AAFL will begin play this spring as a minor league. Teams are based in college football hotbeds and hope to draw support from those fans during a down time for the game. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas will field teams comprised with players who attended schools in those states or neighboring states.

Players must have earned their college degrees, exhausted their eligibility and been evaluated by league coaches after attending an AAFL combine to be eligible.

The league's 10-game season opens April 12 with some Friday night games but most on Saturday. Teams will bring 60 players to training camp and will have game-day rosters of 46.