Add three players with area college ties to the list of new NFL pros.
Illinois’ Jonny Newton and Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw Jr. were both picked in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft Friday evening. The Washington Commanders took Newton, a defensive tackle, with the 36th overall pick. And the Detroit Lions selected Rakestraw, a cornerback, at No. 61 overall.
In the third round, the Green Bay Packers took Mizzou linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper with the 91st overall pick.
Both second-round players seemed to be on the cusp of being first-rounders Thursday, but Mizzou’s Darius Robinson — who went to the Arizona Cardinals with the 27th pick — was the only MU or Illinois player to earn that distinction.