Indiana University Athletics
ALLOTEY AND LIWIENSKI SELECTED IN NFL DRAFT
4/19/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 19, 1998
ALLOTEY AND LIWIENSKI SELECTED IN NFL DRAFT
Bloomington, Ind. -- Indiana University offensive linemen Victor Allotey and Chris Liwienski were selected by the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions, respectively, in the seventh-round of this today's National Football League Draft which took place in New York City this weekend. Allotey was was selected with the ninth pick of the 7th round by the Bills and Liwienski was drafted by the Lions just 11 picks later.
"I had several teams, including the Bengals, who started to call as early as the fourth round to tell me that they were thinking about selecting me," said Allotey from a pay phone this evening in New York. "I actually never spoke to the Bills before they made the pick as they were attempting to page me at that time. Since then I have talked to (head coach) Wade Phillips and the offensive line coach (Carl Mauck). They told me that they are excited to have me on board. They already have two really good guards, Ruben Brown and Joe Panos, but I believe that I'll fit well into that group and be given every opportunity to compete for a roster spot. I'm also excited because (former Hoosier defensive back) Eric Smedley plays in Buffalo and he often tells me how much people in Buffalo love the Bills."
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Allotey started all 11 games at left guard in 1997 and started 20 games during his career (11 offense, 9 defense). He began his college career as a defensive lineman but was switched to offense by head coach Cam Cameron in the spring prior to the 1997 season. Allotey, a public health major, was born on 4/8/75. He will make his first appearance in a Bills uniform when the club holds a mini-camp this Thursday.
Liwienski, a native of Sterling Heights, Mich., where he attended Stevenson High School, grew up approximately 15 minutes from the Detroit Lions' practice facility which is located in Pontiac, Mich. He started all 11 games at left tackle for the Hoosiers in 1997 and was selected to play in the Hula Bowl following his senior season. Liwienski played in 43 games (36 starts) for the Hoosiers during his four-year career. He is a former high school teammate of current Detroit Lions tight end Pete Chryplewicz.
"I am really excited to be drafted by the Lions," said Liwienski from his Bloomington apartment. "I grew up near Detroit and I really want to play for the Lions. I have heard nothing but good things about (Lions head coach) Bobby Ross and the entire organization. I am expected to play guard in the NFL but I really believe that the time I spent at left tackle last season has really helped my development. I'm looking forward to help the Lions as they continue to head in the right direction."
Said head coach Cam Cameron, "I am really pleased for both Victor and Chris. Those two guys had to sacrifice a lot of personal goals last year for the sake of the long-term goals of this program. Both have the ability to play in the NFL and contribute. If they take the right approach, which I am sure both of them will do, they should put themselves in position to succeed. It will be interesting to watch their progress because they're both really fine young men."
Go to the Football Press Release INDEX
