Clovis' Baskett still in NFL draft limbo

CNJ staff writer

Clovis High School graduate Hank Baskett will have to wait another day to learn his NFL fate.

Baskett, an all-conference receiver at the University of New Mexico, was not selected in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. Rounds four through seven are today.

Jim Ivler, Baskett’s agent, said of course he wanted his client to get drafted as high as possible, but being taken on the second day had always been a possibility.

“Well, we knew he could be a first day guy or a second day guy,” Ivler said. “It looks like he’s gonna be a second day guy.”

Eight receivers were drafted on Saturday, one in the first round (Ohio State’s Santonio Holmes), three in the second round and four in the third round.

At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, Baskett is one of the most physically imposing receivers in this year’s draft, and his character has never been an issue, but some scouts have questioned his speed and route running.

Before the draft, most projections had Baskett around the 14th wide receiver to be taken, in the third to fifth round range.

“We’re just going to keep our fingers crossed that we won’t have to wait long (today),” Ivler said.

Of the 97 players taken on the draft’s first day, one of Baskett’s teammates at UNM, Ryan Cook, was selected in the second round. Cook, a 6-foot-6, 328-pound center, was taken by the Vikings with the 19th pick in round 2, the 51st player overall.

Former Lobo running back DonTrell Moore is also expected be taken in the draft, but he and Baskett will have to wait one more anxious night before knowing if and where he will be selected in the draft.