April 26, 2008

AUBURN--Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves and cornerback Patrick Lee were each selected in the second round of the 2008 National Football League Draft, Saturday. Groves was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 52nd overall pick, while Lee was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 60th overall pick.

Groves is the first Auburn player selected by the Jaguars since fullback Kevin McLeod in 1998 (sixth round), while Lee is the first AU player chosen by the Packers since Tigers linebacker coach James Willis in 1993 (fifth round).

A two-time All-SEC pick, Groves concluded his Auburn career tied as the school's all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 26. A native of Greenville, Miss., Groves tallied 122 career stops with 37 tackles for loss while starting in 23 games and playing in 51. The 6-3, 254-pound Groves had a career-best 9.5 sacks and 12 TFLs as a junior in 2006.

"It's a blessing from God and was more hectic that I could have thought of," said Groves. "I was real nervous, seeing other guys get picked before me. I just had to realize that good things happen to those who wait."

Lee was a second-team All-SEC selection as a senior after recording 55 tackles and tying for the team lead with four interceptions. A Miami native, the 6-0, 201-pound Lee had 103 career stops and five interceptions while making 22 starts and playing in 49 contests.

With the selection of Groves and Lee, Auburn has had 11 players drafted in the first two rounds in the last five years.

The two-day NFL Draft concludes on Sunday.