Two former Blinn College football players were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft last week in Philadelphia.
Former Blinn wide receiver Dede Westbrook was selected 110th overall in the fourth round out of the University of Oklahoma by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former Buccaneer running back Devante Mays was selected 238th in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers out of Utah State University.
"It is huge for the Blinn brand to have kids have success on the football field and get drafted," said Blinn head football coach Ryan Mahon. "It says a lot about what Blinn can do for a football player."
Westbrook was a NJCAA first team All-American in 2014 at Blinn after a season of 76 receptions, 1,487 and 13 touchdowns. Following his time at Blinn, Westbrook played two years at Oklahoma and totaled 2,267 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.
Westbrook was awarded the 2016 Biletnikoff Award for best receiver in college football, first in Oklahoma's first. Westbrook was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and finished fourth in the voting.
Mays ran for 557 yards on 57 carries and three touchdowns for Blinn in 2014. At Utah State, Mays best season was his junior year in 2015 when he ran for 966 yards on 165 carries and nine touchdowns. Mays ran for 259 yards and three touchdowns during his senior season in 2016 but struggled with injuries.
Blinn will start the 2017 season on Aug. 26 at home against Texas A&T at 7 p.m. in Cub Stadium in Brenham.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
About Blinn College
With an enrollment of 19,422 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for affordable educational excellence. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.
