Football 5/1/2022 8:48:00 AM By: Tyson Rodgers

Andersen's Second-Round Selection Highlights NFL Draft for #BigSkyFB

Montana State linebacker was fourth-highest FCS player drafted this season

FARMINGTON, Utah (May 1, 2022) - The 2022 NFL Draft has concluded, with three football players from the Big Sky and two with ties to the league getting selected in this year's draft.

Troy Andersen was the highlight of the weekend, with the Montana State linebacker going 58th overall in the second round to the Atlanta Falcons. Andersen was the first player from the Big Sky taken in the second round since Eastern Washington's Michael Roos was selected 41st overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2005. The last Big Sky defensive player selected higher was Boise State's Markus Koch in 1986 when the defensive back was drafted 30th overall by Washington.

Next off the board for the Big Sky was offensive tackle Braxton Jones, who became just the fourth player in Southern Utah history to be drafted. Jones was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the draft with the 168th overall pick, making him the third-highest selection in SUU history.

Rounding out the day, the Super Bowl Champion LA Rams drafted Montana State defensive standout Daniel Hardy in the seventh round, making the Bobcats just one of three FCS programs to produce at least two drafted players this season.

The duo of DaRon Bland and Samori Toure were also drafted on Saturday, with both players beginning their careers at Big Sky football programs. Bland, who finished his eligibility at Fresno State, began his collegiate career at Sacramento State and was drafted in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys. Toure, who finished his eligibility at Nebraska, began his collegiate career at Montana and was drafted in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers.

The five draft selections for the Big Sky ranks as the second-most by any FCS conference this season, trailing only the Missouri Valley Football Conference which produced a record-high nine picks. The FCS had 24 picks overall in 2022, which was the highest since 2008's 24 selections. Furthermore, the 24 draft picks in 2022 doubled selections from 2020 and 2021 combined (six picks each season).

The Big Sky also had 10 players signed as undrafted free agents or receive rookie minicamp invitations, as the group will fight for roster spots heading into the fall. Eastern Washington and Montana State had three each among the group, with Walter Payton Award Winner and former Eastern Washington quarterback Eric Barriere receiving an invitation from the Denver Broncos to headline the list.

Follow all things #BigSkyFB on Twitter and Instagram at @BigSkyFB. Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.

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