Treyvon Hester Joins Kareem Hunt and Michael Roberts as NFL Draft Picks

            Toledo, Ohio – University of Toledo defensive lineman Treyvon Hester (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft on Saturday. Hester was the 244^th pick of the draft.

            Hester, a 6-3, 300-pound defensive tackle, is a three-time All-MAC player who earned second-team honors in 2016. In his four-year college career, Hester totaled 153 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks. He was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game but had to sit out due to an injury.

        Hester had been watching and waiting all day with friends and family until he finally got the call from Oakland.

        "I was getting a little discouraged. It was getting late, almost the end of the draft," said Hester. "When I finally got the call, my heart almost stopped. It was almost as exciting as if I was taken in the first round.

        "I'm excited to be joining the Raiders. I don't know a whole lot about the team, but I know about the history of the Raider mentality. I plan on working hard and always give it everything I have on the field."

            Hester joins teammates Kareem Hunt and Michael Roberts as 2017 draftees. Hunt was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round and Roberts was chosen by Detroit in the fourth round. The trio are the first Rockets selected in the NFL Draft since John Greco and Jalen Parmele were selected in 2008. It is also the first time that three Rockets have been selected in the NFL Draft since the current seven-round format began in 1994. UT had three players drafted in 1968 and four in 1963, an era when the NFL Draft had as many as 20 rounds.

            The selection of Hunt, Roberts and Hester in the draft represents a huge accomplishment for the players and the program, said UT head coach Jason Candle.

        "The two biggest goals for our football program," said Candle, "are to win a MAC Championship and help young men chase their dreams after graduation. For some of our players, reaching the NFL is a part of that. We are still working toward winning a championship, but this year's draft is a step in the right direction."

Treyvon Hester Joins Kareem Hunt and Michael Roberts as NFL Draft Picks

Players Mentioned

Treyvon Hester

Kareem Hunt

Michael Roberts

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