April 20, 2002
Villanova University running back Brian Westbrook was selected in the third round (91st overall pick) of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Westbrook becomes the first Villanova product to be drafted in the NFL since 1981 when Howie Long was taken in the second round by the Oakland Raiders. Villanova now has two players in the NFL, as Westbrook joins 1998 Villanova graduate Brian Finneran who is currently a member of the Atlanta Falcons.
The most decorated player in school history, Westbrook finished his Wildcat career with 41 Villanova records, 13 Atlantic 10 Conference marks and five NCAA records. In 11 games in 2001, Westbrook led all of NCAA I-AA in both all-purpose yards with 2,823 and scoring with 176 points (29 TDs). During the 2001 season, the 5-9, 205 pound Westbrook rushed 249 times for 1,603 yards and 22 scores, caught 59 passes for 658 yards and six touchdowns, returned 17 kickoffs for 440 yards and a score, in addition to returning 12 punts for 90 yards. In Villanova's season finale at William & Mary on Nov. 24, he set the NCAA All-Divisions career all-purpose yards record with 9,512 yards in 44 regular season games.
For his efforts in 2001, Westbrook garnered the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in NCAA I-AA football. He was also awarded for his play by earning first team All-American acclaim for the third time in his career and winning both the Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year distinction for the second-straight season.
As a sophomore in 1998, Westbrook became the only player in the history of college football at any level to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season. After missing all of the 1999 season due to a knee injury, Westbrook returned to the field in 2000 and recorded another 1,000/1,000 season with 1,220 rushing yards and 1,048 yards in kickoff returns.
Westbrook graduated from Villanova in May of 2000 with a degree in Management Information Systems and played the 2001 season as a graduate student enrolled in Villanova's MBA program. A native of Ft. Washington, Md., Westbrook attended DeMatha Catholic High School.
