Louisiana Tech Star Selected In The First Round

Well, the First Round of the NFL Draft came and went with ZERO players from LSU coming off the board. Which means they were just bested by Louisiana Tech.

At pick #30, the Carolina Panthers selected Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler.

By being selected in the First Round, Butler has become the 5th player in Tech history to be selected in the First Round of the NFL Draft. Of the four former Bulldogs taken in the First Round previously, 2 of them became NFL Hall of Famers, and 3 of the 4 made at least one Pro Bowl in their NFL Careers. The previous First Rounders are Troy Edwards (#13 in 1999), Roger Carr (#24 in 1974), Willie Roaf (#8 in 1994), and Terry Bradshaw (#1 overall in 1970).

Butler may have been a little upset by the time his name was called. Early in the evening, "Big Vern" told a reporter that the Detroit Lions had informed him that they would select him at #16 if he was available when the pick came up. That pick came and went, with the Lions taking OT Taylor Decker.

Even with slipping in the draft, what an incredible place for Butler to end up in the NFL. For the last 3 years, the Carolina Panthers have put one of the best defenses in the NFL on the field. Now Butler will be able to come into a franchise that isn't going to demand him to be an instant star, he will have time to learn and grow, and could turn into a Pro Bowl player in the next 2-3 years.