Sutton Smith drafted by Steelers in 6th round

One of the more feared pass rushers in Northern Illinois and Mid-American Conference football history became the second Huskie to be drafted in the NFL draft after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Round 6 on Saturday with the 175th overall pick.

With the selection, 2019 became the third time in the past 13 years two Huskies were taken in the same draft. Garrett Wolfe and Doug Free were drafted by the Bears and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, in 2007. In 2014, Jimmie Ward was taken by the San Francisco 49ers and Ken Bishop was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

Huskies four-year starter on the offensive line Max Scharping was selected Friday in Round 2 of the draft with the 55th overall pick by the Houston Texans.

NIU defensive end Josh Corcoran (San Diego Chargers) and cornerback Jalen Embry (Houston Texans) became the first Huskies free agents to set out on pro journeys. The Chargers confirmed that Corcoran has agreed to terms with the team. Sunday, Hammock also shared the news that cornerback Albert Smalls will join the Oakland Raiders. NIU coach Thomas Hammock was the one to first share the news from each of the three free-agent signings.

Smith, a consensus All-American and Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2018, worked as an edge rusher at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, but also practiced as a linebacker, where he has been projected to play by some draft analysts. Smith also could make serious contributions on special teams.

“I just couldn’t thank this place [NIU] enough for helping me out and the previous coaching staff, Coach Carey and everyone else at Temple over there,” Smith said on NIU Pro Day. “They never gave up on me, and they put me in situations to be successful, and I really do thank them form the bottom of my heart that they were able to figure this stuff out for me as an athlete.”

During the 2018 season, Smith recorded 15 sacks (third in the FBS), 26.5 tackles for loss (most in the FBS), blocked a punt against Toledo and on the same play rumbled for a touchdown. He later scored an 85-yard touchdown in a road loss at Western Michigan, a game in which he had four sacks and five tackles for loss. He forced four fumbles as a senior as well.

The 6-foot, now 230-plus pound defender, originally a running back at NIU, switched over to defensive end as a freshman.

Smith declared his intention to enter the draft the day after NIU's Boca Raton Bowl loss to UAB, forgoing a final year of eligibility in the process.