It took longer than expected, but Kansas State extended its Big 12-best NFL Draft streak to 24 years when the Cincinnati Bengals selected Jordan Willis Friday night.
Willis was projected by some experts to go in Thursday’s opening round, but slid to the third round before receiving a call from Cincinnati.
The 2016 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year enjoyed two excellent seasons to cap his career at K-State. Last year, he recorded 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one.
Willis is the highest K-State defensive end taken since 2000, when Darren Howard went No. 33 overall to New Orleans.
The Bengals went 6-9-1 last season. The organization made headlines earlier Friday evening when they used their second-round pick on Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, who violently punched a woman in 2014.
K-State has had at least one player taken in every draft since 1993. More Wildcats could be selected before the weekend concludes. Linebackers Elijah Lee and Charmeachealle Moore and safety Dante Barnett are all possibilities.
The draft is seven rounds; the last four of those will be held Saturday in Philadelphia.
UPDATE (5:10 p.m. Saturday)
Elijah Lee has been drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 232 overall pick in the seventh round.
