By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 30, 2011
USF defensive back Mistral Raymond, surrounded by at least 20 family members and friends at a cousin's house in Palmetto, got the call he had hoped for Saturday afternoon and saw the joy around him.
"It made me feel so good to see how excited they were," Raymond said after being drafted in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings. "I want to be the guy in my family that everyone looks to for positive energy."
Raymond's story continues to add new, incredible chapters — in three years, he has gone from walk-on to special-teams player to starter to captain and now, NFL draft pick. He had visited the Vikings, spending two days with coaches and front-office personnel, but the immensity of what has happened was still sinking in moments after his name was called.
"I know what I've gone through," Raymond said. "When it happened, I kind of flashed back to all the years, and it made it surreal. I feel great. This is a match made in heaven. It's very special for me. Words can't express this journey."
USF had three players taken, as linebacker Jacquian Williams, a Riverview graduate, went in the sixth round to the Giants.
THIS AND THAT: Aside from Williams, other local high school players drafted were Clearwater Central Catholic's Colin McCarthy (fourth round, Titans, out of Miami) and Jesuit's Anthony Allen (seventh round, Ravens, out of Georgia Tech). … Four Florida players were drafted, with safety Ahmad Black (fifth round, Bucs) and offensive lineman Maurice Hurt (seventh, Redskins) going Saturday. Safety Will Hill, who left after his junior year, was not selected. … When the Bucs took Florida International cornerback Anthony Gaitor, it marked the first time all seven of the state's Division I-A programs had a player drafted. Florida A&M also had defensive back Curtis Holcomb picked. … The only FSU player drafted Saturday was defensive end Markus White (seventh round, Redskins). … Miami's Matt Bosher was one of just two kickers drafted (sixth round, Falcons).