Despite helping East Carolina turn its football program around and breaking Pirates' records, former receiver Aundrae Allison slid in the NFL draft before being selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the ninth pick of the fifth round on Sunday.

Allison could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Eight players from North Carolina schools were taken in the final four rounds on Sunday.

Former N.C. State defensive back A.J. Davis and offensive lineman Leroy Harris were drafted in the fourth round by the Detroit Lions (105 overall) and the Tennessee Titans (115), respectively.

"I thought that possibly this was one of the teams that might select me, so I kept an eye on them throughout the draft," Harris told The Associated Press.

Former N.C. Central defensive tackle Greg Peterson became the only CIAA player to be drafted, going in the fifth round (141) to Tampa Bay.

The New Orleans Saints selected former Wingate cornerback David Jones with the 145th pick. Former Wake Forest safety Josh Gattis was drafted by Jacksonville in the fifth round (150) and ex-Demon Deacons offensive lineman Steve Vallos was taken in the seventh round by Seattle (232). Elon linebacker Chad Nkang also went to Jacksonville in the seventh round (251) with a compensatory pick.

For Allison, who was expected by many -- including draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. -- to be selected by the third round, falling to the fifth round was disappointing. Prior to Allison's arrival at ECU in 2005, the Pirates were one of the worst teams in the nation.

But upon coach Skip Holtz's arrival in 2005 and Allison teaming with former quarterback James Pinkney, the Pirates escaped from the abyss and played in the Papajohns.com Bowl at the end of last season.

"We certainly wish Aundrae the very best in his professional career," Holtz said in a statement released by ECU. "His efforts and contributions at East Carolina will be remembered for a long, long time and I know I join the rest of the Pirate Nation thanking him for an exciting two years that helped our program turn the corner."

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