Former Troy State wide receiver Jonathan Carter was selected in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft on Sunday, becoming the 21st player in school history to be drafted when the New York Giants made him the 162nd overall pick.

Carter’s selection, the 31st in the fifth round, marked the fifth consecutive year a Troy State athlete has been taken in the draft. The Lineville, Ala., native was the only Trojan selected.

"This is a dream come true," said Carter, who received the news while at home with his family in Lineville. "It something as a football player that you dream about all of your life. I just kept working hard, kept the Lord first and my family second and it all worked out."

Two Trojans were selected in 2000, offensive lineman Mookie Moore and wide receiver Mareno Philyaw. Of the previous 20 draftees in school history, however, only four players have been taken higher than Carter, the last when Moore was chosen in the fourth round a year ago.

"We are extremely excited for Jonathan and his family," Troy State head coach Larry Blakeney said. "He is deserving, and I wish him all the best at the next level. We know he will represent himself and Troy State well."

The 6-foot, 18-2-pound Carter led the Trojans with 40 catches for 632 yards and eight touchdowns last season, In addition, he had 1,006 all-purpose yards and was the team’s top kickoff returner with 10 returns for 286 yards and a touchdown. Following the season, he earned first-team All-Southland Football League honors.

For his career, Carter finished with 50 catches for 974 yards and 12 touchdowns, an average of 19.5 yards per catch.

"I was never concerned about not being drafted because I had a great (NFL Combine)," Carter said. "It is just a thrill to be drafted, especially by a team like the Giants. They were in the Super Bowl last year, so I am looking forward to getting to New York and showing what I can do."

Carter will report to a newcomers mini-camp on Thursday in New York for his first official duties with the Giants.

Trojans not drafted but signing free-agent contracts were: punter Matt Allen, also with the Falcons, defensive end Tim Betts, Tennessee Titans; fullback Thad Buttone, Carolina Panthers; linebacker Nick Colbert, Indianapolis Colts; offensive lineman Charles Thomas also with Carolina; Lawrence Tynes, Kansas City Chiefs.