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OL Tomlinson Drafted by Lions With 28th Overall Pick
5/1/2015 1:15:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Former Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Tomlinson was the 28th overall pick in the draft.
“We are so proud of Laken, and certainly could not be happier for him and his entire family,” Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said. “Laken's accountability is second to none. Fifty-two consecutive starts at right guard tell a part of the story, and the Lions will find out quickly just how reliable he is both on and off the field. Obviously, Laken has had a great deal of success on the field while playing at the highest level of college football. I truly believe that will translate into a successful professional career.”
Round 1 - Pick 28 The @Lions select Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ORgcpuDylk
— #NFLDraft (@nfl) May 1, 2015
Tomlinson, a 6-3, 330-pound offensive guard from Chicago, Ill., attended the NFL Draft, which was held in his hometown. He is the highest Blue Devil draft pick since Mike Junkin was a first round choice of the Cleveland Browns in 1987, and just the sixth Duke player to be selected in the first round of the draft. Tomlinson is the 13th Duke draft pick by the Lions and the first since Sonny Odom was a 17th round choice in 1965. Tomlinson is also the first Blue Devil offensive lineman to be chosen in the NFL Draft since Drew Stronjy, who went in the seventh round to the New York Giants in 2004.
Tomlinson became the Duke's fifth consensus All-America selection in 2014 and was named to eight All-America teams, the most by any player in a year in program history. Tomlinson was a first team selection by the Associated Press and Walter Camp Foundation, a second team honoree by USA Today, Athlon Sports and Sporting News, a third team choice by Phil Steele Magazine and Lindy's and an honorable mention pick by Sports Illustrated.
In 2014, Tomlinson anchored a Duke offensive front which led the ACC in fewest sacks allowed per passing attempt (36.23). A two-time first team All-ACC selection, he served as a team captain in 2014 and helped the Blue Devil offensive unit become the first in school history to average 180-plus rushing yards and 210-plus passing yards per game.
Last fall, Tomlinson was the recipient of the Courage Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America in conjunction with the Orange Bowl, named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team which recognizes community service in addition to academic and athletic achievement, and finished second in the balloting for the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, an honor presented annually to the top blocker in the ACC.
During his career, Tomlinson helped Duke to 28 wins over four seasons including the 2013 ACC Coastal Division championship and three bowl game appearances (2012 Belk, 2013 Chick-fil-A & 2014 Hyundai Sun). He played in and started 52 games at right guard and was on the field for 3,962 career snaps.
The selection of Tomlinson gives Duke draft selections in three consecutive years for the first time since 1998-2000. Quarterback Sean Renfree was a seventh round choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 2013 and Ross Cockrell went to the Buffalo Bills in the fourth found in 2014.
#GoDuke
#Duke OG @laken77 with @nfl commissioner @nflcommish after being chosen by the @Lions. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/h37GJr6wP4
— Duke Football (@Duke_FB) May 1, 2015
— David Cutcliffe (@DavidCutcliffe) May 1, 2015
Yes!!!!!! Laken drafted first round!!!!! Go Duke!! Duke football!!!! I hosted that man on his visit!!! WOW!!
— Vinny Rey (@VinnyRey) May 1, 2015
Congrats to @laken77, making Blue Devils proud! Happy my Lions have a fellow alum!
— Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) May 1, 2015
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