Three Mustangs selected in the 2018 NFL Draft

Olivia Pitten

May 2, 2018

Three Mustangs selected in the 2018 NFL Draft

For the first time since 2012, three SMU players were selected to begin their professional careers during the 2018 NFL Draft in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, last week.

All-American wide receiver Courtland Sutton was selected eighth pick in the second round by the Denver Broncos.

It's really real, @SuttonCourtland. pic.twitter.com/VTEVtaBTEG

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 28, 2018

Sutton received many pre-season accolades preceding his senior season. CBS Sports and College Football News recognized Sutton with first-team preseason All-America honors and the senior was named to both the Biletnikoff and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Watch Lists.

Throughout his journey at SMU, Sutton defined himself on the field. Sophomore year Sutton’s 252 receiving yards set an SMU single-game record, and freshman year Sutton’s 862 yards set the record for freshman receiving yards in a season.

Sutton will join former SMU wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in Denver. Sanders was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2010 Draft.

Later in the seventh round, two more Mustangs joined Sutton in the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams selected defensive end Justin Lawler with their 26th pick.

Closing out #RamsDraft with another addition to the defense!

Welcome to LA, @SMU_Football DL Justin Lawler! pic.twitter.com/BjbPup1pap

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 28, 2018

Lawler’s time on the hilltop has been filled with notable plays, including six blocked kicks. His senior season he recorded three blocked kicks to tie him for the national lead. Lawler also added 226 tackles and 20.5 sacks during his time at SMU.

Lawler’s name was honored on the Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski and Wuerffel Trophy preseason lists, and to the Ted Hendricks Award Final Watch List. Lawler was also honored with the S.P.I.R.I.T. award for service, passion, integrity, respect, innovation and teamwork from the SMU Athletic Director at the 2018 Pony Awards Sunday night to conclude his collegiate career.

Lawler will be the first Mustang to play for the Rams in their Los Angeles location. The St. Louis Rams selected former SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert in the sixth round of the 2014 Draft.

The Washington Redskins concluded the 2018 Draft with their final pick of wide receiver Trey Quinn.

Quinn is deemed the latest “Mr. Irrelevant”, a tradition dating back to the 1976 Draft, yet Quinn’s performance on the field has been less than irrelevant.

The junior from Lake Charles, Louisiana, started his collegiate career at LSU before transferring to SMU. His 114 receptions during his junior season leads the nation, the team and holds a single-season record at SMU. Quinn also added 13 touchdowns and 1,236 receiving yards throughout his junior season.