Duke’s Laken Tomlinson goes 28th to Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions took Laken Tomlinson, an offensive guard from Duke, with the 28th overall pick in the NFL draft.
Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 330.
What he offers: Tomlinson is a mauling blocker who started 52 games in four years for Duke at right guard.
Worth mentioning: He was a consensus all-American pick in his senior season, receiving first-team honors from the Associated Press. ... He performed well at the January Senior Bowl and began to move into the late first round on some mocks leading up to the draft. ... He is the first Blue Devil to go in the first round since 1987 (Mike Junkin, Browns).
Bet you didn’t know: Tomlinson came to Chicago from Jamaica when he was 10 years old. Thursday night he returned to the city, which hosted the NFL draft.
What they’re saying: “This journey has bene unbelievable, making it all the way for Jamaica to this very moment, I couldn’t imagine it.” Tomlinson, to Suzy Kolber on ESPN.
This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 11:30 PM with the headline "Duke’s Laken Tomlinson goes 28th to Detroit Lions."