Former Rutgers quarterback selected by Texans

Pittsburgh quarterback Tom Savage, a product of Cardinal O'Hara High, was selected Saturday in the fourth round of the NFL draft, with the No. 135 overall choice, by the Houston Texans.

Last season for the Panthers, Savage, who was the seventh QB taken in the draft, completed 239 of 389 passes (61.2 percent) for 2,958 yards and 21 touchdowns, with nine interceptions.

The 24-year-old from Springfield, Delaware County, started his collegiate career at Rutgers, switched to Arizona, and then finally landed at Pittsburgh.

Starting as true freshman at Rutgers, he threw for 2,211 yards and 14 TDs while directing the Scarlet Knights to a 9-4 record. After an injury-plagued sophomore season, when he lost the starting job after four starts, he opted to transfer to Arizona.

Savage sat out the next season per NCAA rules. When Arizona fired Mike Stoops after a 1-5 start in 2011 and replaced him with Rich Rodriguez , who employs a spread offense not fitting Savage's playing style, he decided to transfer again. That mean another year on the sidelines.

Last fall, in his final year of eligibility, Savage led Pittsburgh to a 7-6 record. In Week 3 against Atlantic Coast Conference rival Duke, he connected on 23 of 33 throws for 424 yards and six scores, tying an ACC record, in a wild 58-55 victory.

At O'Hara, where his junior season was cut short due to a foot injury, Savage threw for 3,900 career yards. He was a U.S. Army All-American and Big 33 Football Classic selection.