COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Former University of Maryland defensive end Yannick Ngakoue was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round (69th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft on Friday night.
Ngakoue is the second Terp to be selected this year, following teammate Sean Davis, who went to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round. This marks the second consecutive year that multiple Terps have been selected in the NFL Draft and the first time two Terps have gone among the Top 70 picks since Vernon Davis and D'Qwell Jackson in 2006..
Ngakoue, a 2015 First Team All-Big Ten selection, ranked second nationally with 13.5 sacks as a junior. His sack total in 2015 set a new Maryland single-season sack record. He also ranked fifth in the Big Ten with 1.3 tackles for loss per game, totaling 15.0 on the season.
The 6-2, 252 pound defensive end was a member of the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List for the nation's top defensive end.
Ngakoue ended his collegiate career tied for fourth in Maryland history with 21.5 sacks. He also ranks eighth in Maryland history in tackles for loss (33.0) and sixth in tackles for loss yards (176).
What They Are Saying...
Yannick Ngakoue:
On if he thought that he would be drafted by Jacksonville:
“I had a strong feeling that they were going to take me. I just left it all on the field at the workout and showed that I'm in shape, I can move and am lean and my explosion. I'm thankful for the whole organization to believe in me and pick me.”
On what he brings to the Jacksonville defense:
“I bring intensity. I bring speed, and I just bring a lot of versatility. I'm a team player, and I know day one I can come in and get to the quarterback.”
On his rise in sack totals from his sophomore year to junior year:
“Just staying focused. Breaking down some more film. Going outside, doing extra reps. Pass rush and the extra – going out and bringing young guys with me and going over plays and things of that nature just to get them right. I just like to help out because it helps me become a better leader on the field.”
On how he ended up committing to Maryland:
“I picked it because it was the way they were utilizing me in the defense, getting to the quarterback. I love pass rush and that's what they wanted me to do.”
David Caldwell, Jaguars General Manager:
On why they picked Yannick:
“This is a guy that we identified early on as a really good scheme fit for us and a really good productive player, kind of where value met need, and we are excited to have him. Three picks into this draft we set out to fix our pass defense and all three of these guys that we drafted from top to bottom are play makers that can help us against the pass. Yannick has been a productive pass rusher and his last two years at Maryland he had 13.5 sacks this year and 21.5 sacks in 38 games, first team all Big Ten, and he has speed and we will put him right in there as a LEO.”
On how Yannick stood out:
“He excels in the passing game and his pass rush. He has very good patience and a very good first step. Coach [Todd] Wash worked him out this past Monday and we did it late. We had him in here for a visit too. He is the kind of a guy we identified through our coaching staff and personnel staff and had high grades on him. Truth be told, at some point in time we were thinking of taking him in the second round. Coming back in the third round for a linebacker and as it was the linebacker we thought we would get in the third round went midway of the second round so by us going out to get Myles [Jack] and coming back to have Yannick [Ngakoue] still in there we kind of lucked out, I guess you could say.”
On Yannick's time playing in Maryland:
“You know they have some talented players not just him, but some other guys on the team as well...They had some guys, as we watched their game film, that made us notice Maryland had some good players. When you look at his level of competition he has done it against high level pass protectors.”
On if Yannick Ngakoue's consistency caught his eye:
“Yes. He made a lot of plays, and he is not a big guy to play defensive end. Some people may consider him a pass rusher only. I think he has the mindset to be better in his run defense and play in some six technique and some nine technique. He plays hard and you can see that on the film. He is another high character kid and he got to meet with our owner, got to meet with everybody when he came on his visit. We like the kid and we like the player even more.”
Todd Wash, Jaguars Defensive Coordinator:
On his late workout with Yannick Ngakoue:
“Flew out Sunday and worked out Yannick on Monday morning, recorded it on my phone, sent it all back and he had a great workout. He was 252 pounds, size was a little bit of a concern to see how well he's putting his weight back on, and had a great workout. We're very excited about him as an edge rusher. He's got to continue to work versus the run but where we're built and how things are going right now, we see him as a situational pass rusher and he's going to continue to mature as a run stopper.”
On if Yannick Ngakoue has a good variety of moves:
“Yes. They showed a highlight on there (NFL Draft coverage), his first step is really good. He can cover some ground vertically, he has the ability to lean and bend, he not only is a speed guy, but has enough man in him to be a power rusher also, he can come speed to power and you can't be a one-trick pony when you're rushing the passer, so we're very excited about Yannick. Talking to him on the phone, I told him when I was there, 'hey we're coming after you,' and that's the first thing I told him on the phone, so it all worked out and both of us were very excited.”
– Maryland –
