'86 Chronology-Haight of Popularity

Event Date: January 15th, 1986

Event Description: Haight Drafted First Overall

Source: UPI

Mike Haight, a surprise first-round pick in last week's NFL draft, Tuesday was the top selection overall by the Orlando Renegades in the USFL's open draft.

Haight, a 6-foot-3 , 275-pound offensive tackle out of Iowa, was the 19th pick by the New York Jets in last Tuesday's NFL draft. He had expected to go in the second or third round of the NFL draft.

“This has been a real big surprise,” Haight said today from Iowa City, Iowa. “I never knew I was wanted that bad.”

The selection of Haight opened a 12-round draft by the league's fourteen teams. One week ago, each team secured the rights of 20 players from their group of territorial schools. Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson of Auburn, the top pick by Tampa Bay in the NFL draft, was selected by Birmingham in the USFL territorial draft.

After Haight, Arizona repeated the NFL's No. 2 overall choice by selecting Oklahoma All-America nose tackle Tony Casillas. Casillas was taken second overall by the Atlanta Falcons last week. He had said then that Atlanta was the only place he wanted to play.

“At the time I said that, the USFL wasn't an option,” Casillas said. “I am very interested in Atlanta, but things have changed since I said that just from the financial end of it.”

Birmingham, picking third, selected SW Oklahoma State running back Lonnie May. New Orleans followed with Arkanas RB-WR Bobby Joe Edmonds. Orlando used its own selection on RB Patrick Franklin from SW Texas State.

Jacksonville then grabbed Youngstown State WR Robert Thompson. The Los Angeles Express drafted BYU QB Robbie Bosco with the idea that he may be able to replace Steve Young who has since moved on to the NFL.

Two second-round NFL choices were then taken with picks eight and nine. Tampa Bay drafted Louisville wide receiver Ernest Givins and Baltimore selected Washington State defensive tackle Erik Howard. 

The Denver Gold then moved on BYU lineman Dave Wright, while the Memphis Showboats selected Purdue pivot Jim Everett.

Round one ended with the Houston Gamblers drafting Texas A&M RB Anthony Toney, the Michigan Panthers taking Pittsburgh center Barry Pettyjohn and the New Jersey Generals selecting Fullerton wideout James Pruitt.

Story-(UPI Modified)