Pair of Tigers picked

Auburn duo Groves, Lee go in second round

BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com --

Former Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves will likely get the chance to play his favorite position after all.

Groves was selected with the 21st pick of the second round (52nd overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Also selected on Saturday was cornerback Pat Lee, who went to the Green Bay Packers.

The 6-foot-3, 257-pound Groves played defensive end at Auburn, but projected as an outside linebacker in the NFL. However, Groves said the Jaguars told him they want him as an end.

"They said we're trying to build our front back up, trying to get heat on the quarterback," said Groves, one of two defensive ends Jacksonville selected with early picks, along with Florida's Derrick Harvey. "That's what they looked for when they drafted me."

Groves called it "pandemonium" at his mother's house following a phone call from a Jaguars' executive informing him they would select him with their next pick.

"It was crazy," Groves said. "I think they're still over there yelling. It's been a blessing from God and more hectic than I could have thought of."

Groves said he did get nervous watching other defensive ends selected ahead of him.

"You kind of get frustrated that you don't get picked," Groves said.

Groves said he didn't talk much with the Jaguars before the draft and they were not among the 10-12 teams who held a private workout for him.

Groves, Lee and Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin were the only local players selected on the first day. Auburn's Pat Sims, Alabama's Simeon Castille, Georgia Tech's Philip Wheeler, a former Shaw High standout, and and Georgia's Marcus Howard and Thomas Brown are the top candidates to hear their names early when the draft continues today.

Groves had three sacks during an injury-plagued senior season which saw him tie Auburn's all-time sacks leader Gerald Robinson with 26 sacks. He recorded 38 tackles in 2007, but missed a few starts with three dislocated toes.

Before the draft, Groves discovered he had Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which results in a rapid heartbeat because of electrical impulses in the heart taking extra pathways and can often, but not always, be treated with medication. Groves called the procedure to correct WPW syndrome "minor."

Groves, who reports to training camp May 16, had a few funny words for Lee after learning of his selection by Green Bay.

"I'd tell him bundle up. I'll be in the warm, while he's in the cold," Groves said.

The Packers took a chance with Lee, who can also fill in on special teams. Green Bay selected Lee with the 29th pick of the second round (60th overall pick). The 6-foot, 200-pound Lee was a full-time starter just one season for the Tigers, but made the most of it.

Lee finished with 55 tackles, four interceptions and 10 pass breakups. He also returned 11 kickoffs for 284 yards. His versatility as a special teams player is seen as a positive while he picks up more nuances of his position.

Contact Christa Turner at 706-571-8505