April 14, 2004
The captains for the Maroon and White squads, composed of members of the new Leadership Council, met with Commissioner Dennis Franchione in the Bright Building team room on Wednesday to make their selections for the 2004 Maroon & White Football Game, presented by AT&T Wireless. The scrimmage is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 at Kyle Field.
"I thought both sides were well prepared," Commissioner Fran said. "There were a couple of times where the draft clock got awfully close to expiring. I thought White had an early advantage, but Maroon evened it up. I believe the line has been drawn in the sand."
After the captains were split, the Maroon squad had the first overall pick and made running back Courtney Lewis their top selection. The Maroon captains are Jaxson Appel, Ty Branyon, Aldo De La Garza, Byron Jones, Mike Montgomery and Terrence Murphy.
The White captains are Joseph "Red" Bryant, Jami Hightower, Johnny Jolly, Keith Joseph, Ronald "Ray Ray" Jones and Archie McDaniel. The White team tabbed the youngest member of the squad, quarterback Stephen McGee, with their first pick.
Last year, defensive lineman Johnny Jolly was the first overall pick in the draft.
The full squads will be announced on Thursday after the trading deadline comes to an end at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Apr. 15 and the coaching staff has a chance to look over the respective squads.
"I know the coaching staff has a bitter rivalry which has carried over from our days at Alabama," Commissioner Fran said. "The coaching staff has been split, they just don't know which team they will have until the trading deadline is finished. If we need to even up things a little, the coaching staff has the authority to make those moves, with the commissioner having the final say so."
Last season, the Maroon team led by defensive coordinator Carl Torbush posted a 28-22 victory before a spring game record crowd of 41,072. They earned a barbecue dinner served by offensive coordinator Les Koenning, Jr. and the White squad. Wide receiver Jason Carter compiled 181 all-purpose yards to lead the Maroon effort.