The wait is over. Talented Clarion University left offensive tackle Reggie Wells (Library - South Park HS) was drafted today by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft as the 177^th pick overall.

Wells, a 6'3 ½", 310-pound left offensive tackle received plenty of interest from NFL teams this season. He was a 2002 AP First Team "Little All-America" selection, a first team AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) All-America, a second team Football Gazette and D-II Football.com all-America selection, a first team PSAC and first team CoSida/Daktronics All-Region selection. Wells also played in the Whataburger Cactus Bowl on January 10^th in Kingsville, Texas

Wells runs a 5.1 - 40 yard dash and is known for his agility, power, strength and ability to block down field. He did not yield a sack in his final three seasons at Clarion. He helped lead Clarion University’s running game in 2002 to the #1 ranking in the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) and #6 in NCAA Division II with a 273 yard average per game. The Golden Eagles were 7-4 overall including a loss to Div.I-AA powerhouse Youngstown State.

Clarion rushed for a single game record 519 yards against Glenville State this season in a 59-38 win, and a second best 468 yards against Lock Haven in a 34-31 victory.

Wells was a first team PSAC-West, first team East Region and HM Football Gazette All-American selection in 2001 and helped lead Clarion to a 7-4 overall record and a 5-1 mark in the PSAC-West as Clarion claimed the PSAC-West title in 2000. He was injured against Kutztown in 2000 and suffered at ACL tear in his left knee missing the team’s final six games. He made a full recovery and started his final 22 games of his career. Reggie broke into the starting lineup as a true freshman in 1999 and started the final five games.

Said Clarion University head football coach Malen Luke. "I’m really happy for Reggie. He’s worked so hard and really deserves everything he gets. He comes from a great family and we wish him all the best as he sets out on his professional career.

What does Arizona get in Wells? " I think Arizona gets a very hungry football player whose best football is still ahead of him," says Clarion’s Luke. "Now he’s going to get specialized coaching and training and start to reach his full potential. The Cardinals came a worked him out. They liked him as an offensive lineman and potentially as a guard and a center. His versatility is the big thing, plus he’s football smart. He picks things up so fast. I think the Cardinals will really like that about him as well. He’s very coachable."

CLARION NOTES: Reggie is a Communications major and the son of Diane and Reggie Wells... Both parents attended Clarion ... Reggie’s father (also Reggie Wells), was a basketball All-American at Clarion and was inducted into the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame in 1990... Mr. Wells scored 2,011 points and collected 1,120 rebounds in his career from 1975-79... He also played professionally in Europe & South America... They also have a son Ryan who is also attending Clarion... Wells is the first Clarion player drafted by an NFL team since former Baltimore Colts All-Pro guard Alex Sandusky was drafted by the Colts in the 16^th round of the 1954 draft... The last Clarion football player in a pro camp was Jon Haslett, a defensive end, and brother of New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett... Jon was a free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 1985.

The Arizona Cardinals were 5-11 overall last season the NFC’s Western Conference. In the off-season the Cardinals lost qb Jake Plummer to the Denver Broncos through free agency, but acquired the NFL’s all-time leading rusher in Emmitt Smith from Dallas. They also signed QB Jeff Blake from Baltimore among others. In this year’s draft the Cardinals drafted Penn State’s Bryan Johnson (WR) in the first round along with defensive end Calvin Pace of Wake Forest ... The Cards also got Anquan Boldin (WR) from Florida State in round 2, Gerald Hayes (LB) of Pittsburgh in round three and Kenny King (DT) of Alabama in the fifth round.