Ex-Pope QB Yates Drafted by NFL's Texans

NEW YORK – graduate T.J. Yates was selected in the fifth round, No. 152 overall, at this year’s NFL draft.

A quarterback at the University of North Carolina, he joins eight other Tar Heels to be taken this year by a pro team.

Yates set 37 school records in his four years in Chapel Hill, including single-season passing yards at 3,418. He was at home when he was drafted.

"I was sitting at home and it gets annoying watching it and not knowing when or if you are going to be picked," said Yates in a statement on the Tar Heel’s athletic website. "My oldest brother, my nephew and I finally decided to watch a movie, but I kept getting calls from my friends asking me about the draft. Finally, my agent called and said Houston was going to take me. The GM called and asked me if I was ready to be a Texan. It feels really good."

With the turmoil surrounding North Carolina this season thanks to academic sanctions and violations, Yates managed to lead the Tar Heels to an 8-5 record.

“That was one of the telling things,” Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison told the Houston website staff. “He did a great job, particularly in the situations when he moved the team down. The last game he had, the two-minute drill, he did a great job, he was very calm. He took some hits in the previous year when he had some young guys playing in front of him. So, that’s one of the things, to be mentally tough, particularly at that spot.”

At Pope High he threw for 2,305 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior and was Cobb County Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year.