Redskins Select O'Connell Grad in NFL Draft

Herald Staff Report
(From the issue of 5/1/03)

The Washington Redskins selected Gibran Hamdan, a graduate of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, with their final pick in the recent National Football League college draft.

Draft experts were surprised by the pick since the Redskins bypassed the more heralded Ken Dorsey, who led the Miami Hurricanes to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and a national championship in 2002. Miami lost the national championship game in 2003 to Ohio State. Dorsey was selected in the seventh round by the San Francisco 49ers.

Hamdan starred in both baseball and football for the Knights before playing collegiately at Indiana University. His younger brother, Bush, also is a two-sport star at O’Connell.

Gibran reportedly impressed Redskins Head Coach Steve Spurrier at a Redskins workout a few weeks ago. He was a backup to Antwaan Randle El at Indiana for two seasons but started eight games his senior season. He threw for 2,115 yards, with nine touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

"We think he’s got a lot of potential," Spurrier told the Washington Post. "He looks like a pro quarterback."

Hamdan has a good shot at making the Redskins roster as the third quarterback. He’ll be competing against free agent Brad Banks and possibly Danny Wuerffel. Patrick Ramsey is projected to be the starter.  

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