Tripp, Van Dyk Tabbed in NFL Draft
A duo of Big Sky Conference football players were selected Saturday during the final day of the NFL Draft.
Montana linebacker Jordan Tripp was selected in the fifth round by the Miami Dolphins. Tripp is believed to be the first player from Missoula, Mont., to play for the hometown Grizzlies to be drafted. The 6-foot-2, 234-pounder was selected to several All-America Teams following his senior campaign.
Tripp is the eighth Montana player to be drafted since 2008.
Portland State offensive lineman Mitchell Van Dyk was tabbed in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams. The 6-7, 299-pounder from Paso Robles, Calif., was named First Team All-Big Sky and Third Team All-American in 2013.
Van Dyk is the first Portland State player to be drafted since tight end Julius Thomas was selected in the fourth round in the 2011 draft by Denver. Thomas was a Pro Bowl player this past season for the Super Bowl runner-up.
This is the 14
th straight year a Big Sky player has been drafted. Four of the last five years at least two Big Sky players have heard their name called.
As of Saturday night, 12 other former Big Sky players have reportedly signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams.
Players who have reportedly signed free-agent contracts
Zach Bauman, RB, Northern Arizona – Arizona Cardinals
Seth Lobato, QB, Northern Colorado – Indianapolis Colts
Jace Davis, WR, Northern Colorado – Baltimore Ravens
Johnny Millard, LB, Cal Poly – St. Louis Rams
Sullivan Grosz, DT, Cal Poly – Houston Texans
Brock Coyle, LB, Montana – Seattle Seahawks
Andru Pulu, DT, Eastern Washington – Seattle Seahawks
Danny Kistler, Jr., OL, Montana – Oakland Raiders
William Poehls, OL, Montana – Tennessee Titans
Kjelby Oiland, OK, Montana – Houston Texans
D.J. Adams, RB, Portland State – San Diego Chargers
Greg Hardin, WR, North Dakota – Denver Broncos