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After days of waiting to see when the first former Hoosier would be selected in this year’s NFL Draft, the wait is over.
With the 101st overall pick, the first in the fourth round and the very first pick of the third day of the draft, the Carolina Panthers have selected former Indiana tight end Ian Thomas, making him the highest picked tight end in Indiana Football history, and the first tight end drafted since Ted Bolser in 2014.
As a senior Thomas played in nine games, catching 25 passes for 376 yards and five touchdowns, the second-most on the team behind Simmie Cobbs, despite struggling with injuries.
Thomas will join a Carolina offense that features Cam Newton under center and former Maryland receivers Torrey Smith and D.J. Moore out wide. Thomas will also get the chance to learn from one of the best tight ends in the league, Greg Olsen.
As day three of the draft continues we should see a few more former Hoosiers coming off the board. As the picks roll in we’ll have updates here at Crimson Quarry.