A north Iowa native could be among the selections in Round 1 of the NFL Draft tonight (04.28).
Former UNI offensive lineman Trevor Penning is projected by many NFL experts to be one the first 32 picks in this year’s draft in Las Vegas. The 6-foot 7-inch, 332 pound native of Clear Lake, who played high school football for Newman Catholic in Mason City, is tabbed by multiple mock drafts as possibly going to the New Orleans Saints with the 16th pick.
After lettering in football, basketball and track for the Newman Knights, Penning had a stellar college career at UNI. In addition to being named to multiple FCS All-America teams, he became the only offensive lineman ever named as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, presented to the FCS national offensive player of the year.
The NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. tonight. Midwest teams slated to make first-round picks include the Vikings at number 12; the Packers at 22 and 28; and the Chiefs with back-to-back selections at 29 and 30. The Bears do not have a first-round pick, but will select twice in Round 2 with the 39th and 48th picks overall.
