Six Green Wave Players Embark on Pro Careers
May 1, 2001 | Football
May 1, 2001
NEW ORLEANS -- Chicago Bears fifth round draft choice Bernard Robertson and five of his former Tulane teammates attempt to make their mark on the NFL after completing successful senior seasons for the Green Wave in 2000. All six were members of the first senior class in 20 years to play on three winning Tulane football teams during their four-year careers.
New Orleans native Robertson became the first Green Wave offensive lineman drafted in 17 years, since Jim Boyle in 1984, when he was taken with the 138th choice of the draft by the Bears. Robertson, an honorable mention All-America and All-Conference USA honoree his senior season, played left tackle at Tulane but is projected as a guard or center in the NFL.
Following the draft, five Wave seniors signed free agent contracts with NFL teams, including wide receivers Bastrop's Adrian Burnette, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys, and Ferriday's Kerwin Cook, who was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks. Cornerback Tim Carter (Tallahassee, Fla.) will try to hook on with the hometown New Orleans Saints, while linebackers Noel Ellis and Jerry Phillips -- both of New Orleans -- went with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants, respectively.
Tulane's 2001 team returns 12 starters, five on offense and five on defense. The Green Wave opens next season at LSU on Sept. 1. the first meeting between the teams since the end of the 1996 season.
