For the third time in as many years, a Texas A&M football player is expected to be selected in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft.
Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, A&M All-American offensive tackle Luke Joeckel is projected as the overall No. 1 pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. Should Joeckel be taken first, he would become the first Aggie to do so.
Two years ago, All-American linebacker Von Miller was taken No. 2 overall by the Denver Broncos and last year’s draft saw quarterback Ryan Tannehill go No. 8 overall to the Miami Dolphins.
The 2013 NFL Draft’s first round will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday and will be broadcast on ESPN and the NFL Network.
Also in attendance at Thursday’s first round will be A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, who will be a guest analyst for the NFL Network.
Joeckel declared early for the draft, foregoing his senior season at A&M. A unanimous All-American selection, he was a key part of the Aggies’ 11-2 record in the program’s inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference. His protection of Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel garnered Joeckel an A&M-first Outland Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman.
Joeckel started every game since stepping foot on campus as a freshman in 2010 and finished with 39 starts at left tackle.
Defensive end Damontre Moore could also be selected in the first round. Moore’s draft stock has fluctuated despite being a consensus All-American and leading A&M in tackles (85), sacks (12.5) and tackles for a loss (21).
Running back Christine Michael, wide receiver Ryan Swope and linebacker Sean Porter are all expected to be selected within the first five rounds of the seven round draft.
The second and third rounds will be conducted on Friday at 5:30 p.m. while rounds four through seven will be held Saturday at 11 a.m.