April 26, 2004
Defensive tackle Amon Gordon, offensive tackle Kirk Chambers and center Drew Caylor were selected in the NFL Draft on April 25 in New York. Gordon, who left Stanford a year early, was the first Cardinal chosen, the 161st overall pick in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.
Moments after choosing Gordon, the Browns selected Chambers in the sixth round with the 176th overall pick. Caylor went in the sixth round (No. 197 overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Several other Cardinal players are expected to sign free agent contracts in the upcoming days, including Luke Powell, Chris Lewis and Brett Pierce.
Gordon still had another year of eligiblity remaining when he announced his intention to forgo his collegiate career to pursue life in the NFL. He started all 11 games for Stanford at defensive tackle in 2003 and led all lineman with 33 total tackles. The 6-3, 285-pounder from San Diego is Stanford's first defensive tackle to be taken in the draft since Willie Howard in 2001.
Chambers was Stanford's rock on the offensive line for the past four years. He started all 45 games of his Cardinal career at left tackle from 2000-03. Last season, he was chosen Second Team All-Pac-10 and First-Team Academic All-Pac-10. Caylor, from Kensington, Maryland, played on the defensive line and offensive line during his Cardinal career. Last season, he played center for the first time in his career and wound up starting the final seven games of the year. Caylor is also a long snapper.