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Nick Allegretti first Illinois player selected in 2019 NFL Draft
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Illinois has produced an NFL Draft pick for the third-straight season.
On Saturday evening, star offensive lineman Nick Allegretti was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the second pick in the seventh round of the draft (No. 216 overall). He was the first Illini player taken off the board in Nashville.
Allegretti brings plenty of experience to the NFL, having played in all 48 career games at Illinois and starting all 36 contests of the last three years. In his first three years in Champaign, Allegretti rotated between guard and center. In 2018, he played and started at guard in all 12 games.
In 2017, Allegretti was an All-B1G honorable mention and was an All-B1G second-team selection in 2018. He was a two-time team captain and a four-time Academic All-B1G player.
Scouts like the experience and leadership that Allegretti brings to the table, as well as his size and strength. He still needs to get lower pad level and get quicker feet to be a successful offensive lineman in the NFL.
Still, Allegretti has taken advantage of his opportunities in the past and has a good chance to impress the staff in Kansas City over the next few months.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB