53 players granted eligibility for draft

Four All-Americans, including running backs Darren McFadden and Kevin Smith, were among 53 players granted special eligibility Saturday for the 2008 NFL draft.

McFadden, of Arkansas, and Smith, of Central Florida, were joined by Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib and tackle Anthony Collins.

The deadline for receiving applications was Jan. 15.

Other notable players leaving school after their junior years were McFadden’s running back partner at Arkansas, Felix Jones, along with Ray Rice of Rutgers, Jonathan Stewart of Oregon and Jamaal Charles of Texas; wide receivers DeSean Jackson of California, James Hardy of Indiana, Davone Bess of Hawaii, Adrian Arrington of Michigan and Earl Bennett of Vanderbilt; and defensive backs Brandon Flowers of Virginia Tech and Kenny Phillips of Miami, Fla.

The draft will be held April 26-27.

The Atlanta Falcons’ search for a new head coach continued to focus on defensive assistants as Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier had his first interview.

Frazier’s interview came one day after Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith had his second meeting with the team.

Frazier, contacted by the Associated Press after Saturday’s interview, wouldn’t disclose details of the talks.

“Anything going forward would have to come from the Falcons,” Frazier said.

The Jacksonville Jaguars fired pro personnel director Charles Bailey and promoted college scouting director Gene Smith, whose new title is executive director of college and pro personnel.