TE Jace Sternberger selected by the Packers in the third round of the NFL draft

In just 2 1/2 years Jace Sternberger has gone from junior college backup tight end, to Texas A&M All-American to NFL third round draft choice.

Sternberger, who opted for early entry into the NFL draft, was selected on Friday by the Green Bay Packers as the 75th overall pick.

The selection is the latest step in a mercurial rise for the native of tiny Kingfisher, Oklahoma.

A high school quarterback, Sternberger signed with Kansas as a two-star prospect. He was with the Jayhawks one year before transferring to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college.

After a season there in which he caught 21 passes for 336 yards, Sternberger was the first commitment for then-new Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Jace Sternberger proved to be one of the most productive tight ends in college football last season.

Fisher needed a productive tight end for his offense. Sternberger proved a perfect fit from the outset.

He starred in the 2018 Maroon-White Game and was named the offensive Most Valuable Player of the spring.

He followed that up by catching five passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns in the Aggies’ season-opening 59-7 victory over Northwestern State.

That performance was an omen of things to come. Sternberger had at least three catches in 10 games and scored at least one touchdown in seven games.

He finished with 48 catches for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns and had at least one catch for 20 yards or more in 12 games.

He set A&M records for touchdown catches and most receptions in a single-season, and that production resulted in Sternberger earning All-American and All-Southeastern Conference recognition.