Hats off to former Hixson High School standout Josh Bullocks for being the 40th player drafted on Saturday in the NFL Draft.

Bullocks, who opted to leave the University of Nebraska prior to his senior season, was taken in the second round by the New Orleans Saints.

"I think this is remarkable achievement for a Chattanooga native,'' Hixson High School football coach Todd Windham said. "One that is being under-reported. He is a classy young man.''

Bullocks is the first area player since 2003 to be drafted when Miami picked South Pittsburg's Eddie Moore out of Tennessee.

He was among three Nebraska players taken in the first two rounds. Cornerback Fabian Washington was chosen by Oakland as the 23rd pick overall. Nebraska's all-time leading tackler, Barrett Ruud, is going to Tampa Bay as the fourth pick in the second round (36th overall).

Bullocks told the Lincoln Journal Star he was happy with New Orleans.

"Good things will happen when you leave it up to the Lord, and this is a very comfortable situation for me and my family," Bullocks told the paper. "Seeing Fab (Washington) and Barrett get picked, I knew I was going to be picked soon.

"The Saints said I would have a chance to compete for a starting spot, and I told them I will work to make the most of this opportunity."

Saints head coach Jim Haslett said that Bullocks was the highest-rated defensive player left on the New Orleans draft board.

"I think he is a guy that can come in, help us in certain areas and eventually be a starter," Haslett said on the Saints' Web site. "He has great basic skills, had 10 interceptions as a sophomore, fell off a little as a junior, but I think he has a lot of upside. He has the stature for a safety and he can make plays."

Bullocks, a first-team All-American in 2003, is the 14th Nebraska player taken by New Orleans. Keyuo Craver was chosen in 2002 but was suspended last year by the NFL.

"I think this is good for Nebraska to have three players chosen in the first two rounds," Bullocks told the Lincoln paper. "I think this shows we had talent but maybe didn't get it put together."

Bullocks, a 6-0, 207-pound safety, ran a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash during NFL combine workouts.

Daniel Bullocks', Josh's twin brother, will return to Nebraska for his senior season.

Meanwhile, Josh will begin contract negotiations with the Saints. Last year's 40th pick, Ben Troupe, signed with the Titans for a three-year contract worth $1.8 million in bonus money.

Here is hoping Josh does just as well or better. He is a classy young man who has done an excellent job of representing Hixson High School and our city.

We wish him the best.

(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)