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Illinois’ DB Nate Hobbs becomes second Fighting Illini drafted with fifth round selection
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
A second Illinois player has been picked in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Las Vegas Raiders selected cornerback Nate Hobbs in the fifth round, with the No. 167 overall pick.
Round 5, Pick 167 overall: @Raiders select @IlliniFootball CB Nate Hobbs #NFLDraft https://t.co/kBFf1pmQqw
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) May 1, 2021
Guard Kendrick Green is the other Illinois player selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, going in the third round to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Hobbs appeared in five games last season, missing three due to injury. Hobbs collected 31 tackles and an interception last season. That interception came in the fourth quarter to help Illinois seal a victory against Rutgers on Nov. 14.
Hobbs arrived at Illinois under the radar. Hobbs was ranked as the No. 233 cornerback in the nation by 247Sports. For his career, Hobbs amassed 110 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions.
Hobbs is the first member of the Illinois secondary to be drafted since seventh-round pick Clayton Fejedelem in 2016.
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.