Three more Huskers were taken on the
final day of the 2012 NFL Draft on Saturday. Defensive tackle Jared Crick was
selected by the Houston Texans with the 126th overall pick in the fourth round,
cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was the 224th pick of the seventh round and went to
the New England Patriots, while offensive tackle Marcel Jones was selected by
the New Orleans Saints with the 234th pick of the seventh round. Nebraska had
at least three draft picks for the 43rd straight year.
Crick was the first Husker taken on Saturday and joined teammate Lavonte David
who was picked by Tampa Bay in the second round on
Friday. Crick's selection marks the 15th Nebraska defensive lineman who
has been drafted since 1998.
The 6-6, 285-pound Crick had one of the most productive
careers in Nebraska history before an injury prematurely ended his career last
fall.
Crick was a two-time All-Big 12 pick in 2009 and 2010 and finished his career
with 167 career tackles, 35 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. Crick finished in
the top 10 on Nebraska's career sacks list and just outside the top 10 in
tackles for loss. His overall tackle total ranked among the top 10 among
interior defensive lineman.
Crick registered 9.5 sacks in both 2009 and 2010, including
a Nebraska record five sacks and seven tackles for loss against Baylor in 2009.
In addition to his on-field success, Crick was one of 11 FBS Division players
named to the 2011 Allstate Good Works Team.
Dennard was the third Husker defender taken in the 2012
Draft, with the New England Patriots selecting Dennard with the 224th overall
pick in the seventh round.
Dennard continues a long line of Nebraska defensive back
success in the NFL Draft. The Huskers have had at least one defensive back
selected in 16 of the past 20 drafts, and Dennard is the 11th Nebraska
defensive back taken in the draft since 2000.
The 5-10, 205-pound Dennard has been a contributor for the
Blackshirts the past four seasons, including being a key member of one of the
nation's top pass defenses each of the past three seasons. As a senior, Dennard
was named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. In 2011,
Dennard had 31 tackles and six pass breakups.
Dennard was a second-team All-Big 12 choice in 2010, when he
made 30 tackles, broke up seven passes and had four interceptions, helping
Nebraska feature one of the nation's top defenses. He broke into the starting
lineup in 2009 and had eight pass breakups to help the Huskers lead the nation
in pass efficiency defense.
Jones was the fourth and final Husker selected in the draft,
going 234th overall in the seventh round to the New Orleans Saints. Jones
battled a number of injuries throughout his Husker career. He was once again
slowed at the start of the 2011 season, but he went on to start the final eight
games of the season at right tackle, and he helped Nebraska rank among the
nation's top rushing teams.
Jones and the Nebraska offensive line have helped pave the
way for All-Big Ten running back Rex Burkhead, who rushed for 1,357 yards on
the ground. Jones was honored for his work on the line, receiving
honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors from both the conference media and
coaches. Jones made 21 career starts in his Nebraska career and he played in 40
career games.
Nebraska NFL Draft Notes
- This
marks the third straight year Nebraska has had at least three defensive
players drafted.
- Nebraska
has had a defensive player taken in the first 3 rounds of the draft in 23
of last 28 years.
- Alfonzo
Dennard is the 11th Nebraska defensive back drafted since 2000.
- Nebraska
has had at least three players selected in the NFL Draft for 43 straight
years (four this season).
- NU
has had 34 (including David, Crick, Dennard) defensive players drafted
since 2000.
