April 28, 2007

NEW YORK - Former University of Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 36th overall choice in the second round of Saturday's NFL Draft.

Kolb, a native of Stephenville, Texas, was the third signal-caller selected in the draft, behind LSU's JaMarcus Russell (Oakland Raiders - No. 1) and Notre Dame's Brady Quinn (Cleveland Browns - No. 22).

"I think his early selection was a very deserving honor for Kevin," UH head coach Art Briles said. "He's done all the right things during his career here. This is a great day for him and the University of Houston football program."

He is Houston's first draft pick since 2005 and the Cougars' highest-selected player since 1997 when Antowain Smith was taken by the Buffalo Bills with the 23rd pick overall.

Kolb will be the fifth former Cougar to take the field for the Eagles. Previously, Tom Dimmick (1956), Charles Ford (1974), Leonard Mitchell (1981-86) and Delmonico Montgomery (2001) have suited up in Philadelphia.

Kolb finished his career as the most prolific passer in UH history, rewriting almost every passing and total offense records including pass completions (964), pass attempts (1,565), passing yards (12,964), total plays (2,037), total offense (13,715) and touchdowns responsible for (106). He was a consensus selection as the 2006 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and a unanimous pick to the All C-USA First Team.

One of only four Division I-A quarterbacks to start 50 games, Kolb finished third in total offense and fourth in passing in NCAA history. Kolb passed for a career-high 3,809 yards and 30 touchdowns in leading the Cougars to the conference championship and a berth in their third bowl game in the last four seasons.