Three Huskers Selected in NFL Draft

Three Nebraska players were selected on day two of the 2009 National Football League Draft. Linebacker Cody Glenn was the first Husker selected in round five, followed by offensive linemen Matt Slauson and Lydon Murtha. At least six other Huskers had agreed to free-agent contracts as of Monday morning.

Glenn was selected with the 158th overall pick in the fifth round by the Washington Redskins. Glenn played the first three seasons of his Nebraska career at running back before switching to linebacker prior to the 2008 campaign. Glenn played in nine games as a senior and finished with 51 tackles, including six tackles for loss. In his first three seasons, the 6-0, 235-pounder rushed for 579 yards and 14 touchdowns from the I-back position.

Slauson was the second Husker taken on day two of the draft, going to the New York Jets with the 193rd overall pick in round six. Slauson has been a mainstay of the Nebraska offensive line over the past four seasons. The 6-5, 320-pound Slauson played in 48 games over the past four seasons, with 35 starts, including all 13 games at right guard in 2008. His play has helped Nebraska rank among the nation's top 15 offenses each of the past two seasons, and Slauson was a second-team All-Big 12 pick during his senior season.

Murtha was the third and final Husker chosen on Sunday, when the Detroit Lions made him the 228th overall selection in the seventh round. Murtha joined Slauson in forming a strong right side of the Nebraska offensive line. Murtha battled through an injury-plagued senior season to start nine games at right tackle. In his career the 6-7, 315-pound Murtha played in 40 contests with 23 career starts. Murtha earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors for his play each of the past two seasons.

The selection of Glenn, Slauson and Murtha marked the 40th straight season Nebraska has had at least three players chosen in the NFL Draft.

Several other Huskers have agreed to free agent contract with various NFL teams, including, I-back Marlon Lucky (Cincinnati), defensive end Zach Potter (New York Jets), wide receiver Todd Peterson (Jacksonville) receiver Nate Swift (Denver), defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler (Cincinnati) and quarterback Joe Ganz (Washington).

Lucky was a second-team All-Big 12 pick as a junior and finished his career as fourth on Nebraska's all-purpose yards list. Potter was a two-year starter at defensive end and earned honorable-mention all-league honors each of the past two seasons. He finished second on the team in tackles for loss and sacks in 2008. Peterson was one of the most productive Husker receivers in school history.

The 6-4, 215-pounder finished fifth in school history in receptions and fourth in receiving yards. His 62 receptions in 2008 are the third-highest season total in Nebraska history. Swift is Nebraska's all-time receptions leader and also finished second on the Huskers' career receiving yardage list as well as season receptions and receiving yardage lists. Swift was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 choice as a senior in 2008.

A Lincoln native, Steinkuhler played a key role in the resurgence of Nebraska's defense in 2008. Steinkuhler made 48 tackles, including eight tackles for loss to help Nebraska rank second in the Big 12 in total defense. Ganz shattered numerous Nebraska school records in his 16 games as the Huskers' starting quarterback. In his senior season, Ganz was named the Team MVP after breaking season records for passing yards and total offensive yards.