Kirksey Drafted in 3rd Round by Cleveland

May 9, 2014

By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Christian Kirksey was selected by Cleveland in the third round of Friday’s NFL Draft. Kirksey was the 71st player picked overall.

Kirksey, a native of St. Louis, is the first Hawkeye linebacker drafted since Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds in 2010. He is the sixth Hawkeye linebacker chosen in the NFL Draft since 2006.

In 13 games last season, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Kirksey compiled 104 tackles — third on the team — with seven quarterback hurries, 2 ½ sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference by league coaches and media.

Kirksey competed in the 2014 Senior Bowl, recording six tackles (1 ½ sacks). During his 49-game Hawkeye career, Kirksey compiled 315 tackles with seven fumble recoveries and 5 ½ sacks. He is one of three defensive players in school history with three defensive touchdowns.

Cleveland was 4-12 in 2013, finishing fourth in the AFC North Division.

Kirksey is the 54th player coached by Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa to be selected in the NFL Draft.

HAWKEYES DRAFTED DURING FERENTZ ERA
2014 NFL Draft
Round 3 C.J. Fiedorowicz Houston Tight end
Round 3 Christian Kirksey Cleveland Linebacker
2013 NFL Draft
Round 5 Micah Hyde Green Bay Defensive back
2012 NFL Draft
Round 1 Riley Reiff Detroit Offensive line
Round 4 Mike Daniels Green Bay Defensive line
Round 5 Adam Gettis Washington Offensive line
Round 5 Shaun Prater Cincinnati Defensive back
Round 6 Marvin McNutt Philadelphia Wide receiver
Round 7 Jordan Bernstine Washington Defensive back
2011 NFL Draft
Round 1 Adrian Clayborn Tampa Bay Defensive end
Round 4 Christian Ballard Minnesota Defensive line
Round 5 Ricky Stanzi Kansas City Quarterback
Round 5 Karl Klug Tennessee Defensive line
Round 5 Julian Vandervelde Philadelphia Offensive line
Round 6 Tyler Sash New York Giants Defensive back
2010 NFL Draft
Round 1 Bryan Bulaga Green Bay Offensive line
Round 2 Pat Angerer Indianapolis Linebacker
Round 3 Amari Spievey Detroit Defensive back
Round 3 Tony Moeaki Kansas City Tight end
Round 4 A.J. Edds Miami Linebacker
Round 7 Kyle Calloway Buffalo Offensive line
2009 NFL Draft
Round 3 Shonn Greene New York Jets Running back
Round 3 Bradley Fletcher St. Louis Defensive back
Round 4 Seth Olsen Denver Offensive line
Round 6 Brandon Myers Oakland Tight end
2008 NFL Draft
Round 3 Charles Godfrey Carolina Defensive back
Round 4 Kenny Iwebema Arizona Defensive end
Round 6 Mike Humpal Pittsburgh Linebacker
2007 NFL Draft
Round 3 Marshal Yanda Baltimore Offensive line
Round 4 Scott Chandler San Diego Tight end
Round 7 Mike Elgin New England Offensive line
2006 NFL Draft
Round 1 Chad Greenway Minnesota Linebacker
Round 3 Abdul Hodge Green Bay Linebacker
2005 NFL Draft
Round 2 Matt Roth Miami Defensive end
Round 2 Jonathan Babineaux Atlanta Defensive line
Round 4 Sean Considine Philadelphia Defensive back
Round 6 Tony Jackson Seattle Tight end
Round 6 Pete McMahon Oakland Offensive line
2004 NFL Draft
Round 1 Robert Gallery Oakland Offensive line
Round 2 Bob Sanders Indianapolis Defensive back
Round 3 Nate Kaeding San Diego Place kicker
Round 7 Jared Clauss Tennessee Defensive line
Round 7 Erik Jensen St. Louis Tight end
2003 NFL Draft
Round 1 Dallas Clark Indianapolis Tight end
Round 2 Eric Steinbach Cincinnati Offensive line
Round 2 Bruce Nelson Carolina Center
Round 5 Derek Pagel New York Jets Defensive back
Round 5 Ben Sobieski Buffalo Offensive line
2002 NFL Draft
Round 2 Ladell Betts Washington Running back
Round 5 Aaron Kampman Green Bay Defensive line
Round 6 Kahlil Hill Atlanta Wide receiver
2001 NFL Draft
Round 6 Kevin Kasper Denver Wide receiver
2000 NFL Draft
Round 5 Austin Wheatley New Orleans Tight end
Round 6 Matt Bowen St. Louis Defensive back