Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Troy’s Jonathan Massaquoi Selected by Atlanta in Fifth Round of NFL Draft
4/28/2012 2:30:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Troy University's Jonathan Massaquoi was selected with the 29th pick of the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. Massaquoi's selection marks the sixth straight year that a Troy player has been selected in the NFL Draft – the longest active streak in the Sun Belt Conference.
Massaquoi, who is the first-ever underclassman to be drafted out of the Sun Belt Conference, is the sixth Trojan to be drafted in the first five rounds since Troy joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2004; Demarcus Ware (1st round, 2004), Brannon Condren (4th round, 2007) Leodis McKelvin (1st round, 2008), Sherrod Martin (2nd round, 2009) and Jerrel Jernigan (3rd round, 2011).
“We would love to have Jonathan back for another year, but he is already 24-years old and he felt his clock was ticking,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “We are proud that he finished his education and graduated before leaving for the NFL and we wish him a long productive career.”
Massaquoi, who was the 164th overall selection, finished his two-year Troy career with 128 tackles, 31.0 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks. The native of Lawrenceville, Ga., was named the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year prior to the 2011 season and was a first team all-conference selection following his sophomore and junior seasons.
He was also named to the 2011 preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Chuck Bednarik Trophy, the Ted Hendricks Award as well as for the Pony Express Award. Massaquoi transferred to Troy prior to the 2009 season after spending one season at Butler Community College.
Massaquoi continues the strong Troy tradition of sending players to the NFL. He is the 33rd Trojan to be selected in the NFL Draft and the ninth in Troy's short history in the Sun Belt Conference. Troy has had more players selected in the NFL Draft than any school in the league despite not joining the conference until its fourth-year of existence.
Troy Trojan NFL Draft History (Sun Belt Conference Era)
2004 – DeMarcus Ware; First Round - Dallas Cowboys
2007 – Brannon Condren; Fourth Round - Indianapolis Colts
2008 – Leodis McKelvin; First Round - Buffalo Bills
2009 – Sherrod Martin; Second Round - Carolina Panthers
2010 – Cameron Sheffield; Fifth Round - Kansas City Chiefs
2010 – Jorrick Calvin; Sixth Round - Arizona Cardinals
2010 – Levi Brown; Seventh Round - Buffalo Bills
2011 – Jerrel Jernigan; Third Round -New York Giants
2012 – Jonathan Massaquoi; Fifth Round – Atlanta Falcons
Massaquoi, who is the first-ever underclassman to be drafted out of the Sun Belt Conference, is the sixth Trojan to be drafted in the first five rounds since Troy joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2004; Demarcus Ware (1st round, 2004), Brannon Condren (4th round, 2007) Leodis McKelvin (1st round, 2008), Sherrod Martin (2nd round, 2009) and Jerrel Jernigan (3rd round, 2011).
“We would love to have Jonathan back for another year, but he is already 24-years old and he felt his clock was ticking,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “We are proud that he finished his education and graduated before leaving for the NFL and we wish him a long productive career.”
Massaquoi, who was the 164th overall selection, finished his two-year Troy career with 128 tackles, 31.0 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks. The native of Lawrenceville, Ga., was named the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year prior to the 2011 season and was a first team all-conference selection following his sophomore and junior seasons.
He was also named to the 2011 preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Chuck Bednarik Trophy, the Ted Hendricks Award as well as for the Pony Express Award. Massaquoi transferred to Troy prior to the 2009 season after spending one season at Butler Community College.
Massaquoi continues the strong Troy tradition of sending players to the NFL. He is the 33rd Trojan to be selected in the NFL Draft and the ninth in Troy's short history in the Sun Belt Conference. Troy has had more players selected in the NFL Draft than any school in the league despite not joining the conference until its fourth-year of existence.
Troy Trojan NFL Draft History (Sun Belt Conference Era)
2004 – DeMarcus Ware; First Round - Dallas Cowboys
2007 – Brannon Condren; Fourth Round - Indianapolis Colts
2008 – Leodis McKelvin; First Round - Buffalo Bills
2009 – Sherrod Martin; Second Round - Carolina Panthers
2010 – Cameron Sheffield; Fifth Round - Kansas City Chiefs
2010 – Jorrick Calvin; Sixth Round - Arizona Cardinals
2010 – Levi Brown; Seventh Round - Buffalo Bills
2011 – Jerrel Jernigan; Third Round -New York Giants
2012 – Jonathan Massaquoi; Fifth Round – Atlanta Falcons
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