Patriots Select Leo and Davis In Professional Football Draft

The Boston Patriots picked Harvard's Bobby Leo and Dave Davis in the annual pro football draft, yesterday. Offensive halfback Leo was taken in the seventh round, and defensive tackle Davis in the 12th.

Boston was one of several pro teams which had been in contact with both Leo and Davis for some time preceding the draft. So it was no surprise that they were chosen.

Leo hopes to see action at flankerback next season for the Pats. His size (178 pounds) would be a disadvantage if he played the running back post he filled at Harvard for three years, but speed and shiftiness will make up for lack of weight at flanker.

Too Light

Davis may also be too light to play his college position. At 233 pounds, he would have a hard time making the grade as a defensive tackle in the pro ranks, but he appears, to be well suited to play defensive end.

Former Crimson all-Ivy halfback Leo said that he "couldn't be happier" over being chosen by the Patriots. The Boston receiving corps is older and slower than most, so his chances of making the team appear good. And Leo will once again be playing near his home -- he starred at Everett High School before coming to Harvard.

Davis, also an all-Ivy selection, feels that the switch to defensive end will be fairly easy for him. He is particularly happy to be able to remain in Boston for his wife is a junior at Radcliffe.

Coach John Yovicsin predicted success for both of his former stars. He said that Leo is the exact type of flanker which the pros are looking for now: a converted halfback who can run well with the ball after catching it. He characterized Davis as "the fastest defensive end the Patriots could get."

Bob Greenlee, Yale's captain and star defensive tackle, was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Other Ivy Leaguers chosen included halfback Pete Larson of Cornell and Brown's punter Joe Randall.

End Pete Hall '62 was the last Harvard footballer to tryout for a professional team. He signed with the Patriots as a free agent but was cut before the season began.