Lions Make Suh Second Choice in First Round of NFL Draft

Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was selected as the second overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 75th Annual National Football League Draft on Thursday night.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell congratulated Suh on stage at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City shortly after the Lions' selection.

The No. 2 overall pick is the highest for a Nebraska player in the NFL Draft since Irving Fryar and Dean Steinkuhler were the first and second picks, respectively in the 1984 NFL Draft. Suh becomes Nebraska's 33rd all-time first-round draft selection and first since defensive end Adam Carriker was picked 13th overall in the 2007 Draft.

The 6-4, 300-pound Suh is the 12th Nebraska player to be selected in the top five in either the regular or supplemental phase of the NFL Draft. He is the first Cornhusker taken in the top five since linebacker Trev Alberts was the fifth overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft.

"I am very happy for Ndamukong and his family," Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini said. "He is very deserving of the high selection in the draft, and the Lions are fortunate to have the opportunity to add him to their organization. Everyone has seen his ability on the field, but as I've said many times, Suh's maturity and character are just as important to making him a success.  I think Detroit and the other teams he talked to recognized that as well."

A native of Portland, Ore., Suh become one of the most decorated defensive players in college football history in 2009. Suh was the first defensive player to win the Associated Press College Player of the Year Award since its inception in 1998. He also captured the Rotary Lombardi Award, the Outland Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, while finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Suh finished his Nebraska career with 215 career tackles, including 57 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. His TFL total is second in Nebraska history while his 24 sacks are fourth on the Nebraska career list. As a senior, Suh dominated with 85 total tackles, including 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, while adding 10 pass breakups, three blocked kicks and 26 quarterback hurries. Suh had 76 tackles as a junior in 2008 and is the first defensive lineman to lead Nebraska in total tackles in consecutive years.

In addition to his accolades on the field, Suh has left a lasting impression on Nebraska and its fans. Last Saturday, Suh announced his plans to donate $2.6 million to the University of Nebraska, including $2 million to the Athletic Department and $600,000 to the UNL College of Engineering to endow a scholarship.

Suh's selection was part of a banner evening for the Big 12 Conference at the Draft. Before Suh was selected by the Lions, St. Louis made Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford the top overall selection. OU's Gerald McCoy was picked third by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams was the fourth overall pick by the Washington Redskins.

The NFL Draft will continue on Friday from New York City with the second and third rounds beginning at 5 p.m. CT. Rounds four through seven will take place on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.

Nebraska's All-Time Top Five Picks
1937-Sam Francis, FB, Philadelphia, No. 1 overall selection
1964-Bob Brown, OG, Philadelphia, No. 2
1974-John Dutton, DT, Baltimore, No. 5
1984-Irving Fryar, WR, New England, No. 1
1984-Dean Steinkuhler, OG, Houston, No. 2
*1984 Supplemental-Mike Rozier, IB, Houston, No. 1
1988-Neil Smith, DL, Kansas City, No. 2
1991-Bruce Pickens, CB, Atlanta, No. 3          
1991-Mike Croel, LB, Denver, No. 4
1994-Trev Alberts, LB, Indianapolis, No. 5
2010-Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit, No. 2