Moorpark's Drake London drafted by Atlanta Falcons with eighth pick in NFL Draft

Moorpark College already gave the Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson, the leader of the “Dirty Birds,” who delivered the 1998 NFC Championship and the city’s first Super Bowl appearance.

Now Moorpark High has produced the franchise’s newest offensive cornerstone.

Drake London, the Musketeers’ former two-sport star, was drafted No. 8 overall by the Falcons on Thursday night at the NFL Draft in Las Vegas.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound USC receiver and the reigning Pacific-12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year was the first receiver off the board in a first round headlined by a record six receivers selected in the first 20 picks.

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It was also a historic night for talent with local ties.

Just three years after being named Male Athlete of the Year by the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame, London ended Ventura County’s 31-year wait for a first-round NFL Draft pick.

Ventura High graduate Eric Turner, a safety from UCLA, was selected No. 2 overall by the Cleveland Browns in 1991.

London’s selection came just three picks after former Oaks Christian defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, a Los Angeles native, became the first local selected in the first round in 13 years.

Linebacker Clay Matthews III, an Agoura High graduate and a Super Bowl champion, was selected 26th overall by Green Bay in 2009.

While The Star covers both local schools, Oaks Christian and Agoura highs are located in Los Angeles County.

London, Thibodeaux and Ventura native Matt Corral, one of the top quarterbacks in the class, were among 21 prospects to attend the draft in person.

Corral, the Heisman Trophy candidate from Ole Miss, was not selected Thursday, but is expected to hear his name called when the draft resumes Friday. Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett was the lone quarterback selected in the first round.

London awoke in Las Vegas on Thursday to the news that his namesake Drake, the rapper, had placed a $100,000 bet on London to be picked

“Drake betting on Drake just feels right,” the rapper wrote on a screenshot of his betting slip shared on Instagram.

Ironically, London potentially fills the void left by the year-long suspension of Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley for betting on NFL games.

London was actually the first offensive skill position player — quarterback, running back or receiver — selected, after the draft opened with six defensive players and Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal went to the New York Giants at No. 7.

“My heart was racing like crazy,” London told atlantafalcons.com. “Especially when the phone started ringing and it had a little 'GA' behind it. I was happy.”

London told the Atlanta media via video call that he landed where he wanted to go.

“I just felt like I wanted to be in Atlanta,” London said. “At the end of the day, this is where I wanted to end up and I don’t even know what to say. I’m at a loss for words, to be honest.”

Asked why, London answered “the coaching, the direction that they’re going in, and just the type of players that they want to bring into their facility.’

“We’re just moving in the right direction,” London said, “and I just can’t wait to get out there and put on that jersey and just be a Dirty Bird at the end of the day.”

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said London was the top player on his draft board when they came on the clock shortly before 6 p.m.

“We always start with the makeup,” Fontenot said. “We love the way the young man is wired. He's a tough, smart, competitive football player.

“The way he works, the way he competes, we are very excited to bring him. … Everything that we want to be as a football team here, he fits it. He checks all those boxes. … We are very excited to make him a Falcon.”

London had 88 receptions for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games for USC last fall, before suffering a season-ending ankle injury on Halloween.

Keary Colbert, his position coach at USC, attended the draft to support his former pupil. The Hueneme High graduate, who now coaches receivers at the University of Florida, was a second-round pick of Carolina in 2004.

London is looking forward to forming a “Twin Towers” pairing with 6-foot-6 tight end Kyle Pitts, who Atlanta drafted fourth overall last year.

“I mean, it’s just two big dudes out there on the perimeter,” London said. “I feel like it’s a pretty good analogy to say that we’re Twin Towers.

“Obviously, I have to earn my stripes in order to get on the field with him, but at the same time, if we do, I think it’s a good nickname.”

Anderson was rooting for London’s selection. The former Pro Bowler tweeted earlier this month that he “would not be upset” if Atlanta picked London at No. 8.

After the selection came to fruition, Anderson tweeted his approval.

“Drake London is a problem,” Anderson tweeted. “With Kyle Pitts the Birds have two of the biggest, most physically gifted players at their positions in this league. I expect London to make an impact immediately. Dude is tough.”

Joe Curley covers high school, collegiate and professional football for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. Follow him @vcsjoecurley on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Atlanta drafts Moorpark's London in first round of NFL Draft