Weber State linebacker J.D. Folsom was the lone Big Sky Conference player selected in the 2009 NFL Draft last weekend.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder was selected in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins with the 214th overall pick.
Folsom, from Salmon, Idaho, was a first-team All-Conference selection in 2009 after registering 76 total tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He helped Weber State to a share of its first conference championship since 1968. Weber State qualified for the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1991, upsetting Cal Poly in the first round and falling to Montana in the quarterfinals.
Folsom played two seasons for Weber State after transferring from Snow Junior College in Utah. He served a two-year LDS Church mission to Santa Cruz, Bolivia prior to his second season with Snow.
Folsom is the fourth Weber State player drafted in the last four seasons. Offensive lineman David Hale was a fourth-round selection by Baltimore in 2008. Twin brothers Paul and Pat McQuistan were both selected in the 2006 draft. Paul went to Oakland in the third round. Pat was a seventh-round selection by Dallas. Both are offensive linemen.
A Big Sky player has been selected in the last nine drafts. Since 1964, at least one Big Sky player has been selected in the NFL Draft every year except 2000.
Several other Big Sky Conference players have signed or are on the verge of singing free-agent NFL contracts.