(Update: the Indianapolis Colts have selected NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish with the final pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. So the Colts bookend the draft, with QBs) Northern Illinois University is kind of known as the mid-major version of "Tailback U." The DeKalb, IL institution has produced some of the most electric runners (LeShon Johnson, Michael Turner, Garrett Wolfe and … [Read more...] about NIU QB Chandler Harnish: 2012 NFL Draft MR. IRRELEVANT
NFL Draft
New England Patriots reach to grab Illini Tavon Wilson in 2nd round
New England certainly needs help in their secondary. They have WRs playing DB for them that's how short-handed they are. Remember Julian Edelman covering Anquan Boldin in the AFC Title game? Troy Brown actually played some defensive back too; even though he was a wide receiver by trade. And the Patriots legend fittingly announced this pick Tavon Wilson from the Illini, tonight … [Read more...] about New England Patriots reach to grab Illini Tavon Wilson in 2nd round
Kansas City Chiefs take OL Jeff Allen from Illinois in 2nd round
Four Illinois Fighting Illini were drafted in the first rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. All of them were taken ahead of anyone from Nebraska, Penn State, Ohio State or Michigan. Yes, Illinois had four while those four traditional powerhouses had a combined goose egg. Devon Still from PSU and Lavonte David from the Huskers were taken later in the second round. Former Illinois … [Read more...] about Kansas City Chiefs take OL Jeff Allen from Illinois in 2nd round
Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd joins Arizona Cardinals at #13
He’s passed up Golden Tate, Jeff Samardzjia and Tim Brown to claim all the major receiving records in Notre Dame history. And now Michael Floyd is a member of the Arizona Cardinals. Floyd becomes the first WR taken by the Cardinals in the first round since the team selected Larry Fitzgerald with the third overall pick in 2004. He is the first Notre Dame player drafted by the … [Read more...] about Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd joins Arizona Cardinals at #13
San Francisco 49ers pull draft night shocker: Illini WR A.J. Jenkins
The Seattle Seahawks made the first big shocker on NFL Draft night by taking Bruce Irvin DE/OLB from West Virginia. The San Francisco 49ers created another big surprise when they took WR A.J. Jenkins out of Illinois with the 30th pick. It marks the first time two Illini have been selected in the first round of an NFL draft since Kevin Hardy and Simeon Rice in 1996. Illinois … [Read more...] about San Francisco 49ers pull draft night shocker: Illini WR A.J. Jenkins
Houston Texans take Illini Whitney Mercilus, DE slips to #26
He came out of nowhere to win the Ted Hendricks Award as the best Defensive End in all of college football. He rose from obscurity to become an All-American at Illinois. Now Whitney Mercilus is a member of the Houston Texans, joining fellow Big Ten alum J.J. Watt of the Wisconsin Badgers as the men who will fill the pass-rushing void left by the departed 2006 #1 overall draft … [Read more...] about Houston Texans take Illini Whitney Mercilus, DE slips to #26
Final 2012 NFL Mock Draft 4-26
Indianapolis Colts 2012 NFL Draft preview: Andrew Luck, then what?
New Indianapolis Colts GM Ryan Grigson made official Tuesday what we all pretty much knew back in January: the franchise will select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in today's NFL Draft. Luck is billed as the most pro-ready quarterback prospect to enter the league since Peyton Manning, the man he's succeeding in Indianapolis. Some would go even further … [Read more...] about Indianapolis Colts 2012 NFL Draft preview: Andrew Luck, then what?
New England Patriots: most interesting team in 2012 NFL Draft?
Doesn't it seem like the New England Patriots go out of their way EVERY season to trade down and acquire more picks? Every year, they're a fun team to watch on draft day, because they always seem to end up with more picks than anyone else. In 2012, even more so, because they have four picks in the first two rounds. And even though they were just one Wes Welker drop, or … [Read more...] about New England Patriots: most interesting team in 2012 NFL Draft?