South Dakota linebacker Tyler Starr was drafted in the seventh round by the Atlanta Falcons Saturday on day three of the NFL Draft.
Starr becomes the second Coyote drafted in the last three years. Offensive lineman Tom Compton was taken in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins during the 2012 draft. Starr is the 13th Coyote to be drafted into the NFL (full list below).
“This is an unreal feeling,” said Starr, who spent the day in his hometown of Little Rock, Iowa, with his family. “We waited all day long for this to happen, and when it did we were overwhelmed. My son, Hunter, turns three tomorrow and it was great to celebrate this day with him. I fly to Atlanta soon and I can’t wait to get started.”
Starr was pick No. 255 overall and the ninth player drafted by the Falcons (full list of 2014 Atlanta draft picks below).
Starr (Little Rock, Iowa/George-Little Rock HS) was the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year this past season. He went on to finish ninth in the voting for National Defensive Player of the Year and appeared on numerous All-America teams.
Starr led the MVFC in sacks (9.0), tackles for loss (15.0) and forced fumbles (4) this past season. He finished second on the team in tackles with 71. He also had an interception and was credited with four pass breakups. During his three seasons in Vermillion, Starr accumulated 196 tackles, including a program record 27 sacks and 13 forced fumbles.
Atlanta Falcons 2014 Picks
Rd Pk (Ovr) Name Pos Team
1 6 (6) Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
2 5 (37) Ra’Shede Hageman DT Minnesota
3 4 (68) Dez Southward S Wisconsin
4 3 (103) Devonta Freeman RB Florida State
4 39 (139) Prince Shembo OLB Notre Dame
5 7 (147) Ricardo Allen CB Purdue
5 28 (188) Marquis Spruill OLB Syracuse
7 38 (253) Yawin Smallwood ILB Connecticut
7 40 (255) Tyler Starr OLB South Dakota
South Dakota All-Time NFL Draft Selections
Year Round Sel# Player Pos. Team
1954 14 — Ordell Braase DL Baltimore Colts
1970 3 63 John Kohler OL Denver Broncos
1972 9 213 Gene Macken OT St. Louis Cardinals
1974 7 172 Leroy Hegge — Kansas City Chiefs
1974 10 258 Johnny Vann — Washington Redskins
1979 12 318 Bill Moats DB Green Bay Packers
1980 10 272 Ben Long LB Miami Dolphins
1982 10 258 Craig Austin LB Seattle Seahawks
1986 9 232 Mike Slaton DB Minnesota Vikings
1986 11 300 Chul Schwanke RB Los Angeles Rams
1990 10 252 Dave Elle TE Phoenix Cardinals
2012 6 193 Tom Compton OL Washington Redskins
2014 7 255 Tyler Starr LB Atlanta Falcons