The streak lives.
University of Miami safety Kenny Phillips was selected 31st overall by the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in Saturday's NFL Draft, extending the Hurricanes' streak of first-round picks to 14 years.
Although there are normally 32 picks in the first round, Phillips was that round's final selection because the New England Patriots were forced by the NFL to forfeit their pick after being caught videotaping the New York Jets' defensive signals during a game.
"God is good! God is good!" Phillips' father, Kenneth Wilson, repeated with tears in his eyes just moments following the live TV announcement by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "I have tears of joy."
Said Phillips with a smile: "I've never been to New York, but I guess it will be my new home. I'm going to a great organization and I'm going to fit in really well there. I heard they have a great fan base and I'm definitely not going to let them down."
Out west in Denver, UM defensive end Calais Campbell and his family also celebrated as he was selected 50th overall - 19th in the second round - by the Arizona Cardinals. He said he was "surprised to drop that low,'' but was elated to be joining former Hurricanes Edgerrin James and Antrel Rolle in a situation he called "perfect."
"I'm very excited," said Campbell, 6-7 and 280 pounds. "Arizona has a good chance to be in the Super Bowl in the next couple of years. The team is on the rise and I'm happy to be a part of it."
Earlier, Phillips had gathered in a bungalow at the Shore Club in Miami Beach with his agent Drew Rosenhaus and family, including his parents Taranda and Kenneth Wilson, and brother Jarvis Wilson. A private person, Phillips chose to be secluded with his loved ones, but eventually got antsy and left the room. Media members were asked to stay in a separate area.
After Phillips walked to the patio area, he got the call from Giants coach Tom Coughlin. He said only when he saw the New York area code did he realize it wasn't a relative. Word quickly spread and his aunts, cousins, uncle, grandmother, grandfather and immediate family let out a load roar. Reporters soon surrounded him as he hugged his family and UM teammates Randy Phillips, Eric Moncur and Courtney Harris.
"That's great!" said Randy Phillips, a cornerback who is not related to Kenny. "A champion going to a champion.'"
Phillips, like Campbell, left UM after his junior season. He is a 6-2, 211-pounder out of Miami Carol City High School. A semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, Phillips was second on the team in tackles this past season with 82, including six for losses. He also had two interceptions, five pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
Of UM's streak, he said: "That was a big thing. I wanted to keep the streak alive. It says we're still putting out first rounders. We still have the talent. I'm just so excited right now.''
Campbell left UM after his junior season with a degree in hand. He was a preseason Playboy All-American after a sophomore year in which he was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference, with 10.5 sacks -- 15th in the nation and fourth among sophomores. He had 84 tackles, including 20.5 tackles for losses, which ranked fourth in the nation. He also had three forced fumbles and 17 quarterback pressures.
But because of his sophomore success, Campbell was double-teamed much of this past season and found it more difficult to break free to pursue the quarterback. He struggled at times, but still finished with 50 tackles -- 12.5 for losses -- and six sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also had an interception.
Campbell's father, Charles, died in November 2003 after a long illness, leaving his wife and eight children. Campbell struggled with his decision to enter the draft, but he said his family, knowing he already had his degree, urged him to do it.
"The best part is knowing I would make my dad proud by coming this far," Campbell said last week. "I've been envisioning this every day. Either way it goes, I'm going to be in tears."
