By Andy Walter

DOVER — Former Dover High football standout Jordan Magee had his dream come true when he heard his name called in the NFL Draft this afternoon.

Magee, who played linebacker at Temple, went in the fifth round to the Washington Commanders.

A quarterback and safety at Dover, Magee passed up his final season of college eligibility to declare for the draft.

In an interview posted on Washington’s social media account, Magee said it’s exciting to get the chance to play relatively close to home.

“One of my friends is a Commanders’ fan actually and he was the first one yelling and screaming,” said Magee. “It’s crazy. I’m definitely happy to be close to home. All my friends and family can come watch me play.”

Magee, who took part in the NFL Combine, said he didn’t necessarily know how interested the Commanders were in him. He only remembers having one Zoom call with them.

“There wasn’t really a lot of communication,” said Magee. “But talking to some of my former teammates who were in the NFL, they were like, sometimes it’s the team that you’re least in communications with that ends up picking you.

“You know, I had open ears and open eyes to whatever team picked me. I’m blessed for it to be the Commanders.”

The last Dover player taken in the NFL Draft was running back Mike Meade, who also went in the fifth round, in 1982. Meade went with the 126th overall pick while Magee went at 139.

Former Senators’ coach Rudy Simonetti, who was Magee’s head coach in high school, said he made sure he was watching the draft the last few days. Magee was projected as a fifth-round pick ahead of the draft.

“I see Jordan’s name and I started going ballistic,” Simonetti said with a laugh. “That’s awesome. We are so happy and proud for him, it hurts.

“Jordan’s one of the few (from Delaware to get drafted). He’s just a great young man, a high-character kid, smart. As a community and speaking on behalf of Dover High School, we can’t be proud of him right now.”

Magee developed into a 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker at Temple. In five seasons, he played in 43 games for the Owls, making 233 tackles with 31 tackles for lost, eight sacks, 10 passes defended and an interception.

Magee was a second-team All-AAC pick last fall and was also considered one of Temple’s team leaders.

At least early on, Magee knows he’ll probably have to prove himself playing on special teams. He said that’s fine with him.

“I’ve been playing special teams my whole life,” said Magee. “I feel like that’s one of my strong suits ... my ability to play in space and take on blockers and use my speed and agility to make tackles. Whatever this scheme calls for, I feel like my athletic ability allows me to do that.”.

Magee announced last month that he was foregoing his last season of eligibility at Temple to declare for the NFL Draft.

“(It’s) something I dreamed of as a kid,” Magee posted on social media when he first made his decision.

Simonetti said he’s not surprised that Magee has earned this opportunity.

“Jordan had that motivation and drive that not too many young men in his position have,” said Simonetti. “He was very mature for his age back then and obviously it shows now.

“I definitely thought that if he took care of his business in college, like we knew he was going to, the NFL was a real good possibility for him. Now here we are.”

Notes

Running back Marshawn Llloyd, a Wilmington native who finished his college career at USC, was drafted by the Packers in the third round.