Telegram 2024 NFL Draft Update - Spotlight on Detroit, River Rouge Panthers, Coach Parker and the Community

Detroit was chosen by the NFL to host the 2024 Draft. The state of Michigan delivered epically. The city cleaned up well. Attendees would have assumed they were in Las Vegas or Mardi Gras with the traffic. Over 700,000 people were said to have been in attendance at the draft. With the Detroit Lions historic season, and Michigan's National title win the state has been spoiled in regards to football. The draft, its results, and the events surrounding it have intimately redefined Michigan's relationship with the sport.

River Rouge kicked off its NFL draft activities by hosting Kamal Hadden, Reggie Pearson, and Ruke Orhorhoro. Each were outstanding players in college and decided to throw their helmets in for the draft. The district hosted the players in the current football facilities to host lunch for coaches, community members, old friends, and new football players. Coach Eric Pettway gifted Hadden, Pearson Jr, and Orhorhoro were gifted their high school jerseys. They were later awarded with banners that will forever fly proudly in Panther Stadium.

Although Downtown Detroit melted with every NFL team's colors. Coach Corey had to be cool in the green room as he supported Toledo Rocket Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchel watched many names come and go across the screen. They were only names to Mitchel and Parker. As not one cornerback had been selected. That pick was reserved for Quinyon Mitchel from the Philadelphia Eagles at pick number twenty-two. The Eagles believe that Mitchel will be a key addition to their man-to-man defense.

No players from River Rouge were drafted in the first round. Day two Ruke Orhorhoro gathered with his family to see the results. Ruke's Combine results piqued the interest of the world. He waited to see where the root of his hard work had taken him. The Atlanta Falcons didn't allow Ruke to wait too long. Jaws dropped as Atlanta traded up for Ruke for the third pick of the second round, thirty-fifth overall, and the first defensive tackle of the round. Ruke is also the highest drafted pick in River Rouge history. The team hopes to develop Ruke's skill to dominate on the inside.

Day three continued to be a nail biter. Kamal Hadden hosted his loved ones. If it were not for a shoulder injury, Kamal might have had the perfect season at Tennessee. He waited patiently to see which team would trust him now that he's better. Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs selected Kamal in the sixth round at pick thirty-five, pick two hundred and eleven overall. Kansas City plans to surround Kamal among its veteran defense so it can nurture his skills in zone defense.

Kamal was River Rouge's last pick of the NFL Draft. Reggie Pearson Jr was not selected. That does not mean his outstanding career has not gone unnoticed, unhonored, nor did it open the proper doors for him. The Telegram Newspaper wishes Reggie best wishes in whatever direction his life takes him moving forward.

Things have settled in the city as the crowds fizzled out. But not for our players. Coach Eric Pettway watched his lineman of old reach the highest level of football, which only influences his Panthers of today. This is only the start for Coach Corey Parker. Who had a player he coached be selected each day of the NFL draft. Parker is back to the drawing board to do it again. Congratulations to Kamal Hadden and Ruke Orhorhoro. May your skills and perseverance take you to the tallest levels of success.

"This may be the first set of Panthers to be in the draft. But these young men have kept solid on one River Rouge Football tradition. They have added their names in the pile of young men who came back to Rouge with a college degree."