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Leading rusher Smith, USC's Booty picked on second day
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NEW YORK — After threatening Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record in college, Kevin Smith now can concentrate — or at least dream about — Sanders' marks with the Detroit Lions.
The Central Florida running back and nation's leading rusher in 2007 was chosen atop the third round of the NFL draft Sunday. The Lions even traded up two spots with Miami for the privilege of beginning the second day by grabbing Smith.
Last season, Smith rushed for 2,567 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. Sanders set the single-season record with 2,628 in 1988, when he won the Heisman Trophy. He went on to a Hall of Fame career over the next decade with the Lions.
USC quarterback John David Booty was the second selection in the fifth round, by Minnesota after the Vikings made an in-division deal with Green Bay. The Packers already had their QB of the future: Brian Brohm, chosen in the second round on Saturday, yet chose Matt Flynn of LSU in the seventh.
Agoura High graduate Joey LaRocque, a linebacker for Oregon State, was picked in the seventh round — the 243th overall selection — by the Bears.
Smith was one of two All-Americans chosen in the third round. Penn State linebacker Dan Connor went to Carolina 10 spots later.
Other third-rounders looking to prove themselves in the NFL will be defensive back Chevis Jackson (Atlanta), running back Jacob Hester (San Diego) and receiver Early Doucet (Arizona), all from national champion LSU. Texas running back Jamaal Charles was chosen by Kansas City and West Virginia RB Steve Slaton was taken by Houston. The Giants took Michigan receiver Mario Manningham.
In all, the two days and seven rounds took 14 hours, 26 minutes. David Vobora, a defensive back/linebacker from Idaho was the final selection.
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