Another First Rounder for FUMA?
Philip Merling may become FUMA's 11th First Round Draft Pick in the NFL 
Fork Union, VA - April 25, 2008 - Coaches and faculty at Fork Union Military Academy will once again be watching the NFL Draft coverage with great interest this year. Former FUMA cadet Philip Merling is projected as a first round draft pick this year.
This could mark the second year in a row that a defensive end who started at FUMA and went on to college at Clemson is selected in the first round. FUMA alum Gaines Adams of the Tampa Bay Bucs was the fourth overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft and played with Merling at the opposite end of the defensive line at Clemson.
Merling would become the 11th player from Fork Union Military Academy to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, joining a list that includes Plaxico Burress of the SuperBowl Champion New York Giants. Over 70 former FUMA players have been drafted or signed by NFL teams throughout the NFL's long history.
In his biographical sketch and interview posted on the NFL's official web site (www.nfl.com), Merling lists his "proudest off-field moment" as winning the Best Cadet award at Fork Union Military Academy.
Also expecting calls from NFL teams during the 2008 draft are Dorien Bryant, a wide receiver at Purdue University, and Josh Morgan, a wide receiver at Virginia Tech. Both of these players could be selected within the top three rounds, according to many projections.
These players hope to join a list of more than 70 FUMA alumni who have been drafted or
signed by NFL teams throughout the years, including at least seven Pro
Bowl players, thirty NFL starters, and ten players on SuperBowl teams.
Athletes at Fork Union Military Academy go through the same
structured and disciplined program as all of the nearly 600 students
who attend the Academy in grades 6 through 12 (and postgraduate). There
are no special privileges for elite athletes -- all must wear the
uniform, perform their assigned work, and participate in all activities
of the Cadet Corps.
The most successful athletes are those who use their time at FUMA
to develop the work ethic, mental toughness, and self-discipline
required to compete at the highest level.
While FUMA is well-known for producing top athletes, it is the
academic program at FUMA that attracts such talent. Most top athletes
come to Fork Union Military Academy for the same reason all of our
other students do -- to prepare academically for the college
environment. While many of FUMA's best-known athletes have come from
the Academy's postgraduate program (a one year program designed to
build study skills, improve test scores, and raise academic
performance) at least two of our first round picks (Eddie George and
Chris Perry) came up through our regular high school program.
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FUMA's First Round Picks
2007-Gaines Adames
2004-Chris Perry
2000-Plaxico Burress
1997-Jim Druckenmiller
1996-Rickey Dudley
1996-Eddie George
1992-Robert Jones
1987-Vinny Testaverde
1982-Mike Quick
1954-Steve Meilinger |
