HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Brock Bowers was in middle school in Napa, California, when the then-Oakland Raiders would hold training camp nearby.
He’d drop by to check out practice and once even got an autograph from quarterback Derek Carr.
Now Bowers is part of the Las Vegas Raiders, who selected the Georgia tight end in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday with the 13th pick.
“It’s come full circle,” Bowers said from Napa.
This the second year in a row the Raiders have taken a tight end high. Las Vegas traded up last year to take Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer in the second round with the 35th overall pick. Mayer caught 27 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Bowers was the first player to win the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end in consecutive seasons after recording 56 receptions for 714 yards and six TDs.
After AP's missing students investigation, children return to school
Economic Watch: Improving logistics indexes reflect China's economic recovery
Xi Focus: Xi Stresses Enhancing Party Leadership over Armed Forces
Healthy competition in bilateral ties stressed
Point guard Deivon Smith transferring to St. John's from Utah
Dramatic shift from Pacifism raises concern
Xi Signs Order to Commend Outstanding Military Units, Individuals
Elizabeth Hurley, 58, flaunts her jaw
News Analysis: U.S. hits technical recession, but many sectors remain healthy
FBI lays out detailed case against Florida man accused in wife's disappearance in Spain
Xi Story: Ensuring the Yellow River benefits the people