May 9, 2014
- 2014 NFL Draft Central
- Spring Camp Central
- Read the May issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- 2014 Outback Bowl Central
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
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 |