Arkansas offensive guard Mitch Petrus became the first Razorback selected in the NFL Draft this year, ending a long wait for the NFL Combine’s bench-press legend Saturday.
NFL scouts watch and time former Razorback Mitch Petrus during pro day in March inside the Walker Pavilion in Fayetteville. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER)
The New York Giants picked up Petrus in the fifth round with the 147th overall pick.
You got the feeling Petrus might go to New York, but perhaps not to the Giants. Petrus told us a funny story about New York Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan back at Arkansas’ Pro Day in March. You got the feeling the two struck up a good relationship. Even so, as we all know, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL Draft.
“Personally, I don’t care. When you’re getting paid this much money, I’ll go wherever,” Petrus said in March. “It does not matter to me wherever I go. I’ll go to another planet and play if I’ve got to.”
Still on the board as a possible selection in the draft is Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard, who’s projected by some to go late in the draft today.
Petrus’ selection, no matter how late, did at least guarantee one thing — the Hogs won’t be the one SEC team without a player selected in the NFL Draft. Mississippi State has that distinction now after Petrus’ selection, according to Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
UPDATE (1 p.m.): Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon was drafted by San Francisco in the sixth round, giving every SEC team a player selected in this year’s draft.
RELATED: Former Arkansas receiver Damian Williams selected by Titans (subscription req’d)
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Way to go Mitch! Good luck in the big city!!! Hog Nation is proud of ya!