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Three Bulldogs selected on day 3 of NFL Draft

Keith Marshall
UGA RB Keith Marshall. (John Kelley/UGA)

Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, offensive tackle John Theus and running back Keith Marshall became the third, fourth and fifth Bulldogs, respectively, taken in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Mitchell was selected in the fourth round by the New England Patriots with the 112th overall pick, while Theus went to the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round with the 145th overall selection and Marshall was picked by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round with the 242nd overall pick.

The trio joins Leonard Floyd (Chicago Bears, first round, ninth overall pick) and Jordan Jenkins (New York Jets, third round, 83rd overall pick) as the five Bulldogs taken in this year’s draft. Georgia has now had 314 players all-time taken in the NFL Draft and it marks the second-straight year the Bulldogs have had five players taken in the draft.

Theus is the first Bulldog offensive lineman to be drafted since Justin Anderson was taken by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, while Mitchell, who will join former teammate and Patriots’ center David Andrews in New England, is the first-ever Georgia wide receiver to be drafted by the Patriots.

Mitchell, a native of Valdosta, Ga., native becomes the ninth Georgia player, and the first since defensive tackle Kade Weston in 2010, to be drafted by the Patriots.

The standout wide receiver led the Bulldogs in receptions (58), receiving yardage (865) and touchdown catches (5) last season. Mitchell also ranks third, sixth and eleventh, respectively, on Georgia’s all-time lists in those same categories. Off the field, Mitchell penned a children’s book, The Magician’s Hat, and has received numerous honors for his efforts in encouraging children to read. Most recently, he received the prestigious 2015-16 Haier Ultimate Achievement Award, which is presented to a student-athlete for their accomplishments beyond sports. He was also named team captain of the 2015 AllState AFCA Good Works Team.

Mitchell finished his college career with 174 catches for 2,350 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four years with the Bulldogs. He also totaled four games with 100-yards or more receiving.

Theus, a senior offensive tackle on the 2015 Georgia football team, is the 14th Bulldog, and the first since running back Keith Henderson in 1989, to be drafted by the 49ers.

The Jacksonville, Fla., native was named First-Team All-SEC by both the Associated Press and league coaches this past season, capping off an impressive career at the University of Georgia. Theus was a team captain for the Bulldogs and started all 13 games in 2015.

Among other notable accomplishments throughout his career, Theus was named AP Honorable Mention All-SEC in 2014 and was a Sporting News All-America Freshman Team selection in 2012, becoming just the third true freshman to start at offensive tackle in a season opener at Georgia since freshmen became eligible in 1973. Theus came to Georgia as a five-star prospect after earning 2011 USA Today All-America First-Team honors and placing on the Parade Magazine All-America Team as s senior at The Bolles School in Jacksonville.

Marshall is the 16th Georgia player, and the first since Bacarri Rambo in 2013, to be drafted by the Washington Redskins.

A native of Raleigh, N.C., who battled through injuries throughout his career in Athens, Marshall came to Georgia as a five-star prospect by several recruiting outlets after an outstanding prep career at Millbrook High School. He was named the team’s Newcomer of the Year in 2012 and then suffered a season-ending injury vs. Tennessee in 2013. This past season, Marshall was tabbed as the team’s Comeback Player of the Year and rushed 68 times for 350 yards and three touchdowns.

Saturday’s action concludes the 2016 NFL Draft, which took place in downtown Chicago.

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