Aggie center Erik McCoy taken in second round of NFL draft by the Saints

Once an obscure three-star recruit, Texas A&M Erik McCoy became an NFL second-round draft choice on Friday night.

McCoy, who started every game of his A&M career, was selected with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.

A 6-foot-3, 315-pounder from Lufkin, McCoy started 39 consecutive games at either center or guard.

Though he never received all-conference recognition, he was clearly one of the best centers in the country. He demonstrated athletic ability, a mean streak and tremendous toughness while often playing through injuries.

Last season, McCoy anchored the line which paved the way for A&M running back Trayveon Williams to rush for a school record 1,760 yards.

However, McCoy really got the attention of NFL scouts when he ran a 40-yard dash in 4.89 seconds at the NFL combine. That was the fastest time registered by a lineman.

Soon afterward, McCoy’s name started appearing as a high second round or late first round pick in mock drafts.

His second round selection makes him the highest drafted A&M center. Previously, the highest-drafted Aggie center was Seth McKinney, who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2002 draft.