Jason Avant

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Philadelphia Eagles
currentnumber=81
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|4|20
birthplace=Chicago, Illinois
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=212
debutyear=2006
debutteam=Philadelphia Eagles
highlights=
* Michigan MVP (2005)
college=Michigan
draftyear=2006
draftround=4
draftpick=109
pastteams=
* Philadelphia Eagles (2006-"present")
statweek=5
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=42
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=464
statlabel3=Receiving average
statvalue3=11.0
statlabel4=Receiving TDs
statvalue4=3
nfl=AVA444955

Jason Avant (born April 20, 1983 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League.

High school

Jason Avant attended Carver High School in Chicago, graduating in 2002. While in high school, Avant played both on defense, as a free safety, and offense, as a wide receiver. He set school records for receptions (148), receiving yards (2,150), touchdowns (37), and interceptions (18). After his senior season, he was named a High School All-American at free safety.cite web | title =4th Rd. (109th): WR Jason Avant, Michigan | work =Philadelphia Eagles.com | publisher =Philadelphia Eagles | date =April 30, 2006 | url =http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/homeNewsDetail.jsp?id=47941 | accessdate =2007-01-20 ] He played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College

At Michigan, Avant played as a wide receiver and on special teams. He played sparingly as a freshman, but as a sophomore emerged as the Wolverines number-two receiver, behind Braylon Edwards. During his sophomore season in 2003, Avant caught 47 passes for 772 yards. As a junior he was the team's second leading receiver. In his senior year, Avant led the team in receptions (82), receiving yards (1,007), and receiving touchdowns (8).

In his final two seasons, Avant was named as a candidate for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver. After his senior season, he was named an honorable mention All-American and was given the Bo Schembechler Award as Michigan's most valuable player..

NFL

Avant was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles traded a sixth round draft pick and tackle Artis Hicks to the Minnesota Vikings for the pick used to take Avant. In a post-draft interview, Eagles head coach Andy Reid said Avant "has great hands, toughness, leadership; he's very intelligent and a good route runner." [cite web | title =Draft-weekend trades | work =NFL.com | publisher =NFL Enterprises LLC | date = | url =http://www.nfl.com/draft/drafttracker/trades | accessdate =2007-01-20 ] Scouting reports projected him as a consistent possession receiver who lacked the speed to be a deep threat. [cite web | title =NFL Draft: Jason Avant | work =SI.com | publisher =CNN/Sports Illustrated | url =http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2006/draft/players/18766.html | accessdate =2007-01-20 ]

As a part of the Eagles crowded receiving corps, Avant saw limited playing time with the offense in his rookie season. He had his best performance -- four receptions for forty yards and one touchdown -- in the final game of the season, while the Eagles rested their starters for the playoffs.

Personal

Avant is an avid Scrabble player. cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20071031_Dana_Pennett_ONeil___Birds_receiver__wordsmith_Avant_snookers_writer__team_rep.html |title=Birds receiver, wordsmith Avant snookers writer, team rep |accessdate=2007-11-01 |last=Pennett O'Neil |first=Dana |date=2007-10-31 |work=Philadelphia Daily News ] During Chris Berman's "Fastest Three Minutes" he referred to him as Jason "You Can't Always Get What" Avant. [cite web | title =Eagles rest starters after clinching NFC East title | work =ESPN.com | publisher =ESPN Internet Ventures | date =December 31, 2006 | url =http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261231021 | accessdate =2007-01-20 ]

ee also

*Lists of Michigan Wolverines football receiving leaders

References