UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State running back Miles Sanders (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and offensive lineman Connor McGovern (Larksville, Pa.) were selected on the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft Friday night in Nashville. Sanders was chosen in the second round with the 53rd overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, while McGovern was selected in the third round and 90th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys.
A total of 352 Nittany Lions have been selected all-time in the NFL Draft, which ranks eighth among Division I institutions, including 37 in the first round. Penn State has had 35 draft picks since 2010.
Miles Sanders, RB, 5-11, 207, Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills
Sanders is the 14th Penn State running back to be drafted in the first or second round of the NFL Draft. Sanders and Saquon Barkley, who was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2018, are the first Penn State running backs to be drafted in the first two rounds in back-to-back years since 1980 (Matt Suhey - 1980; 2nd round, #46 overall – Chicago Bears) and 1981 (Booker Moore - 1981; 1st round, #28 overall – Buffalo Bills). Sanders is the 35th Nittany Lion running back all-time to be drafted. Sanders is the 22nd Penn State player to be drafted by Philadelphia.
"We couldn't be more proud to see Miles' name on the NFL Draft board," Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. "He prepared every day in practice as if he was going to be the starter throughout his career. When his time came, it was no surprise to see him excel and we expect to see more of the same from him with the Eagles. Miles has a ton of all-around potential and possesses a three-down skill set. He is decisive, can run north-south, changes direction well, runs behind his pads and at the combine as well as our Pro Day, he proved he can be a weapon as a receiver out of the backfield. Miles is another in a long lineage of great Penn State running backs."
"Miles Sanders' talent is undeniable, but the reason his ability is limitless is due to his practice habits," running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider said. "He comes to work every day, he is a diligent studier, and will run as hard in early August as he does in late November. Miles is going to be a dominant three-down back at the next level, which makes him the best back in the 2019 NFL Draft."
Miles Sanders Bio
- Second-team all-conference running back.
- Became the 45th player in program history to rush for more than 1,000 yards.
- Ranks 25th all-time with 1,649 rushing yards.
- Earned the program's 26th individual 1,000-yard rushing season (2018).
- Has the 17th-most rushing yards in a PSU single-season.
- Became the 28th player in program history to rush for 200 yards against Illinois (9/21).
- Is one of six players in program history (nine occasions) to rush for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a game.
- Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after Illinois (9/21) game.
- Tabbed the Rose Bowl Game Big Ten Player of the Week following the Illinois (9/21) game.
- Selected to Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week following the Pittsburgh (9/8) game.
- Has five career 100-yard rushing games, all in 2018.
- Had 19 rushes for 91 yards, with 62 yards coming in the fourth quarter and overtime, and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 4-yard score in overtime against Appalachian State (9/1).
- Rushed for 118 yards on 16 carries at Pittsburgh (9/8). Had three runs of 20 or more yards, including a 41-yard run in the first quarter.
- Rushed for a career-best 200 yards with three touchdowns at Illinois (9/21).
- Rushed for 162 yards on 17 carries with a 48-yard touchdown run against Michigan State (10/13). Also added a 78-yard run, the longest of his career.
- Caught six passes for 54 yards, establishing career highs, at Indiana (10/20).
- Earned his fourth 100-yard game of the season with 159 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries versus Wisconsin (11/10).
- Toted the ball 14 times for 128 yards, with no negative yardage plays, against Maryland (11/24).
Connor McGovern, G, 6-5, 323, Larksville, Pa./Lake-Lehman
McGovern is the first Penn State guard to be drafted since John Urschel was chosen in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. McGovern is the highest Penn State guard to be drafted since Jeff Hartings was the No. 23 overall pick in the 1996 draft by the Detroit Lions. McGovern is the 32nd Penn State guard drafted all-time and the 10th player selected by the Dallas Cowboys.
"We are excited for Connor to continue his career with the Dallas Cowboys," Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. "Connor was a three-year starter for us, after earning the starting job as a true freshman, and truly became a leader in the O-Line room the last couple of years. He has great lateral quickness for his size, which will be valuable on the next level. Connor is naturally strong on the field and plays with a finisher's mentality. His flexibility to play multiple positions across the offensive line is really valuable."
"Connor has been a valuable member of the Penn State offensive line for the last three years," offensive line coach Matt Limegrover said. "Connor's fierce competitiveness and physical play has set the standard for current and future Nittany Lion offensive linemen to emulate moving forward. Connor's athleticism, physicality and football intelligence will all be welcomed attributes for the Cowboys."
Connor McGovern Bio
- Started 34 games in his career and has been a fixture on the offensive line since his true freshman season.
Earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018 and was named the team's Dick Maginnis Memorial Award winner for the top offensive lineman. - Became the just the third offensive lineman in Big Ten history to claim a weekly award after earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades in November 2016.
- Named honorable-mention All-Big Ten Freshman Team by BTN.com.
- Helped the Nittany Lions break the program record for total offense (6,056), points (526; tied with 1994 team), passing yards (3,650) and passing touchdowns (29) in 2016.
- Penn State finished fifth in FBS in passing yards per completion (16.15), 14th in team passing efficiency (156.6), 36th in passing offense (260.7) and 49th in total offense (432.6) in 2016.
- Penn State offense finished seventh in scoring offense (41.1), 14th in team passing efficiency (153.59), 19th in total offense (460.3) and 23rd in passing offense (290.2) in 2017.
- Saquon Barkley was honored as the Paul Hornung Award winner for the most versatile player in college football, became Penn State's 100th first-team All-American and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
- Penn State ranks 16th in red zone offense (.923), 29th in rushing offense (208.6) and 29th in scoring offense (34.6) in 2018.
- Trace McSorley became Penn State's all-time passing leader, finishing his career with 9,899 yards and 77 touchdowns.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and reserving new season tickets for the 2019 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
More than 3,600 new season tickets have already been sold for the 2019 campaign.