KANSAS CITY (April 28, 2023) - Reigning Big Sky Football Defensive Player of the Year Marte Mapu was taken by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday night, becoming the highest-drafted player in program history for Sacramento State after being selected with the 76th overall pick.
Mapu was an all-around performer on the defensive side of the ball for Sacramento State, racking up 76 tackles, 6.5 for loss and a pair of interceptions for the Hornets last season. The Hawthorne, California native climbed up NFL draft boards following his career with the Hornets, after impressing scouts at the NFLPA and Senior Bowl all-star games. Mapu earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors and was also named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year to cap his senior season in Sacramento.
Mapu's third-round selection marks the seventh-highest pick from the Big Sky since 2000 and the first player from the conference drafted by the Patriots since Northern Arizona's Tom Gibson was taken by New England in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL Draft.
Mapu also becomes the highest selection ever from Sacramento State, with the previous high being John Farley who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round (92nd overall) of the 1984 draft.
The Big Sky has now had four players drafted in the past two years, which is the most in a two-year span for the league since six were selected in the NFL Draft following the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
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Highest Big Sky Football Draft Picks Since 2000
41st (2nd): Michael Roos, OL, EWU – Titans (2005)
58th (2nd): Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State – Falcons (2022)
65th (3rd): Trumaine Johnson, DB, Montana – Rams (2012)
69th (3rd): Cooper Kupp, WR, EWU – Rams (2017)
69th (3rd): Paul McQuistan, OL, Weber State – Raiders (2006)
70th (3rd): Joey Thomas, DB, Montana – Packers (2004)
76th (3rd): Marte Mapu, DB, Sac State – Patriots (2023)