Haden Chosen Seventh Overall by Cleveland Browns in NFL Draft
Friday, April 23, 2010 | Football
Former Florida cornerback Joe Haden (Ft. Washington, Md.) has been selected by the Cleveland Browns with the seventh pick of the first round in the 2010 NFL Draft. Haden is the first Gator taken in this year's draft, and he was selected higher than any UF cornerback in the history of the draft.
He is the highest-chosen Florida defender since defensive end Derrick Harvey was selected eighth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008 and is the fourth defensive player from UF all-time to be selected in the top 10.
Haden was on hand at Radio City Music Hall in New York to receive his Cleveland jersey from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
“I'm happy for Joe and his family,” said UF head coach Urban Meyer. “He is one of the most unselfish players I've ever coached. He came to Florida as an offensive skill player who never played cornerback. He approached the coaching staff about changing positions because he wanted to get on the field. Despite not playing cornerback in high school he developed into one of the best ever to play his position at the University of Florida and is now a first-round draft pick in the NFL.”
As a junior in 2009, Haden was a consensus All-American and a finalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back, before declaring for the draft. He started 40 games as a Gator and was the first true freshman in UF history to start at cornerback.
Haden is the 40th first-round draft pick in Florida history and the fifth defensive back taken in the opening round. He is the fifth first-rounder taken from Florida who played under Meyer. Florida has now had a first-rounder taken in the last four consecutive drafts.
Previously, the highest-selected UF cornerback was Steve Tannen, who was chosen 20th overall in 1970.
Haden becomes the eighth Gator drafted by the Browns and the first since linebacker Andra Davis was selected in the fifth round in 2002.
NFL.com Video: Draft Vignettes: Joe Haden and First Draft: Joe Haden
Career Bio: Joe Haden GatorZone.com Bio
UF Top-10 NFL Draft Picks – Defensive Players
3rd Overall, 2001: Gerard Warren, Cleveland Browns
6th Overall, 1995: Kevin Carter, St. Louis Rams
7th Overall, 2010: Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns
8th Overall, 2008: Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville Jaguars
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