Sheldon Rankins Drafted in the First Round by New Orleans Saints
April 28, 2016 | Football
Rankins is the 13th first-round selection in school history
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville defensive end Sheldon Rankins was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 2016 National Football League Draft Thursday evening at the Auditorium Theater by the New Orleans Saints.
Rankins is the Cardinals' fifth first-round pick over the last three drafts and 13th first-round selection in school history. In 2014, safety Calvin Pryor, outside linebacker Marcus Smith, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater all went in round one, while wide receiver DeVante Parker went in the opening round last season.
"I'm a laid back guy, so I was just watching the draft," Rankins said. "I'm truly blessed and I'm indebted to the University of Louisville for what they've done for me. I've always enjoyed the draft. I was able to get that call at No. 12 and the room erupted. I really had no expectations. I had seen the mock drafts, but I went into the draft with no expectations, and I was excited when the Saints took me at that spot. The draft has made a fool out of a lot of people so I went into tonight with no expectations.
Under the watch of head coach Bobby Petrino, the Cardinals have placed three players in the first round: Rankins, Parker, and Amobi Okoye. Former center Eric Wood was a first-round selection in 2008, but played for Petrino from 2004-07.
"I'm extremely proud and excited for Sheldon Rankins on his selection this evening," head coach Bobby Petrino said. "Being a first round pick is a great accomplishment and a much-deserved honor. He has worked so hard to perfect his craft and he is one of the most complete football players I have ever coached. I wish him nothing but success as he makes the jump to the next level, and I thank him for his contributions to our program."
The Covington, Ga., native, Rankins is the 16th defensive linemen to be drafted from Louisville and is the fifth interior player taken in the first round – the highest since Okoye was taken with the 10th pick in 2007 by the Houston Texans.
Rankins, who was a two-time all-ACC selection after totaling 14.0 sacks over that span, is one of the most dominating defensive linemen in school history, according to his career statistics. Playing in 46 career games, Rankins totaled 133 tackles and was one of the school's all-time leading pass rushers. He totaled 31.5 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks, which rank in the top 10 in school history.
The 6-foot-2 letterwinner was named to the Senior Bowl and earned second team all-league honors last season after recording 59 tackles and 6.0 sacks. He tied a career high with eights stops against Clemson and Samford and made one of the plays of the year against Boston College when he picked up a fumble and raced 46 yards for a score.
A third-team all-ACC honoree in 2014, Rankins enjoyed his best season – recording a career-high 8.0 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions. He registered eight stops in win at FIU and registered interceptions in wins over Wake Forest and Boston College.
The second and third rounds of the NFL Draft continue on Friday evening from the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, with rounds 4-7 wrapping up the draft on Saturday.
Rankins is the Cardinals' fifth first-round pick over the last three drafts and 13th first-round selection in school history. In 2014, safety Calvin Pryor, outside linebacker Marcus Smith, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater all went in round one, while wide receiver DeVante Parker went in the opening round last season.
"I'm a laid back guy, so I was just watching the draft," Rankins said. "I'm truly blessed and I'm indebted to the University of Louisville for what they've done for me. I've always enjoyed the draft. I was able to get that call at No. 12 and the room erupted. I really had no expectations. I had seen the mock drafts, but I went into the draft with no expectations, and I was excited when the Saints took me at that spot. The draft has made a fool out of a lot of people so I went into tonight with no expectations.
Under the watch of head coach Bobby Petrino, the Cardinals have placed three players in the first round: Rankins, Parker, and Amobi Okoye. Former center Eric Wood was a first-round selection in 2008, but played for Petrino from 2004-07.
"I'm extremely proud and excited for Sheldon Rankins on his selection this evening," head coach Bobby Petrino said. "Being a first round pick is a great accomplishment and a much-deserved honor. He has worked so hard to perfect his craft and he is one of the most complete football players I have ever coached. I wish him nothing but success as he makes the jump to the next level, and I thank him for his contributions to our program."
The Covington, Ga., native, Rankins is the 16th defensive linemen to be drafted from Louisville and is the fifth interior player taken in the first round – the highest since Okoye was taken with the 10th pick in 2007 by the Houston Texans.
Rankins, who was a two-time all-ACC selection after totaling 14.0 sacks over that span, is one of the most dominating defensive linemen in school history, according to his career statistics. Playing in 46 career games, Rankins totaled 133 tackles and was one of the school's all-time leading pass rushers. He totaled 31.5 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks, which rank in the top 10 in school history.
The 6-foot-2 letterwinner was named to the Senior Bowl and earned second team all-league honors last season after recording 59 tackles and 6.0 sacks. He tied a career high with eights stops against Clemson and Samford and made one of the plays of the year against Boston College when he picked up a fumble and raced 46 yards for a score.
A third-team all-ACC honoree in 2014, Rankins enjoyed his best season – recording a career-high 8.0 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions. He registered eight stops in win at FIU and registered interceptions in wins over Wake Forest and Boston College.
The second and third rounds of the NFL Draft continue on Friday evening from the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, with rounds 4-7 wrapping up the draft on Saturday.
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