Justin Madubuike selected in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens

Texas A&M defensive tackle Justin Madubuike on Friday night surprisingly dropped to the third round of the NFL draft to be selected by the Baltimore Ravens. Madubuike was the 71^st player picked and will join former Aggie players Daylon Mack and Otaro Alaka.

Madubuike, who opted to enter the draft rather than return to A&M for his senior season, was projected as a second round pick. Some, like ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., even projected him as a possible late first round pick.

Madubuike is the fourth Aggie in the last four drafts to be selected in the third round.

Tight end Jace Sternberger was a third round selection of the Green Bay Packers last year. Defensive end Daeshon Hall was taken in the third round by the Carolina Panthers in 2017. Cornerback Brandon Williams was a third round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2016.

A four-star recruit out of North McKinney High School in 2016, Madubuike arrived in College Station as a 6-2, 250-pound defensive end. Yet, he grew into a 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle with a knack for providing an inside rush and generally wreaking havoc in the interior line.

In 2017, after sitting out a redshirt year, Madubuike posted 20 tackles, forced a fumble and blocked a kick as a freshman backup.

He moved into the starting lineup the next season and posted 40 tackles, including 5.5 sacks. Last season Madubuike earned All-Southeastern Conference acclaim after accumulating 45 tackles, 11.5 for lost yardage and 5.5 sacks.