Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford on Saturday became the fourth Bulldog player to be taken with the first overall pick of the annual NFL draft and the first in 56 years, and hours later teammate Knowshon Moreno joined him into the NFL as the 12th selection.

Stafford’s name was called as the first pick by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in announcing the Bulldog quarterback is now a member of the Detroit Lions, owners of the number one choice.

Stafford becomes only the second Georgia quarterback to be selected in the first round. Johnny Rauch was the second selection of the first round in the 1949 draft, ironically, also by the Lions although he was immediately traded.

Other Georgia players selected as the first overall pick of the draft are HB Frank Sinkwich (1943, Detroit Lions), HB Charley Trippi (1947, Chicago Cardinals), and E Harry Babcock (1953, San Francisco 49ers).

“I’m excited for Matthew, I’m excited for the Lions, and for the city of Detroit,” head coach Mark Richt said. “They’re getting a great ballplayer and a great person. I’m also excited for the University of Georgia football program to have the No. 1 player in the 2009 draft.”

Moreno moved up the draft board and was the surprise pick of the Denver Broncos with the 12th selection of the first round.

Named to the 2008 AFCA (Coaches) All-America first team, Moreno became Georgia’s second first round selection on Saturday following quarterback Matthew Stafford, the draft’s first pick. Moreno was also one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award and was a unanimous All-SEC first team selection.

A native of Belford, N.J., Moreno was redshirted his first year and played two seasons for the Bulldogs. He played in 26 games including 19 starts and rushed for 2,734 yards on 498 career carries. He scored 30 touchdowns rushing and two more receiving. In 1008, he carried 250 times for 1,400 yards and 16 TD’s.

Moreno follows two other Bulldogs who became Bronco running backs in recent years-Terrell Davis who starred for Denver from 1995-2001 including a Super Bowl MVP performance – and Olandis Gary who played in Denver from 1999-2002.

The Cleveland Browns grabbed Bulldog wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi with the 50th pick in the second round of the NFL Draft. Massaquoi had worked out privatly for the Browns late last week as they were showing strong interest in the player who grabbed eight touchdown receptions last year.

- Georgia Sports Communications