Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

5/1/2011 at 9:37am

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Arkansas State’s NFL draft streak continues.

Offensive tackle Derek Newton extended the Red Wolves’ consecutive years to a player selected to five. The all-Sun Belt Conference tackle was picked by the Houston Texans in the seventh round at No. 214.

ASU Coach Hugh Freeze reacted to the announcement on Twitter:

“Big congratulations to Derek Newton. The Texans just got a great player. ASU has now had a player picked in the draft for the last 5 years.”

Newton joins fullback Oren O’Neal (2007), safety Tyrell Johnson (2008), tight end David Johnson (2009) and Alex Carrington (2010) as Red Wolves in that streak. Newton was a starter in all 12 ASU games and helped his stock at the 2011 NFL Combine.

Below is more from ASU:

As a senior, Newton helped lead the ASU offense to a school-record 4,841 yards of total offense that also ranked as the third most in the Sun Belt Conference. He was part of an A-State offensive line that tied for third in the Sun Belt Conference in sacks allowed per game. He paved the way for 23 rushing touchdowns and was also part of ASU’s offense that broke the school records for first downs and passing yards.

Behind Newton and the O-line, the ASU offense averaged 5.7 yards per play to rank tied for second in the league. The Red Wolves also ranked second in the Sun Belt in scoring offense with 30 points per game and ranked 40th in the nation in total offense.

Newton, who was watching the draft with his mom at their home in Mississippi, said he did not expect the Texans to draft him.

“No, I really didn’t know. It was kind of a surprise to me,” Newton said. 

A list of drafted players with ties the state is below. A roundup of headlines follows.

Headlines:
•Tom Oates: D.J. Williams presents powerful resume
•Vikings take Arkansas OT DeMarcus Love with 1st of 4 picks in 6th round
•Dolphins draft Tulsa's Clay
•Patriots take OLB Carter of Central Arkansas
•Texans take Arkansas State OT Newton in 7th round
•Auburn's Lee Ziemba goes in seventh round to Carolina

Tagged: Steve Roberts, Derek Newton, Hugh Freeze, Arkansas State Red Wolves, Houston Texans