Gophers Hageman and Vereen Selected in NFL Draft

(Gophersports.com) - Minnesota's Ra'Shede Hageman is headed to Atlanta, as he was selected by the Falcons in the second round of the NFL Draft with the No. 37 overall pick. Hageman attended the draft in New York and was the fifth player taken in the second round.

Hageman is the highest Gopher to be selected since Laurence Maroney was taken in the first round with the 21st pick in 2006. He is the third highest Gopher to be drafted since 1991, behind Maroney and Willie Middlebrooks (24th overall in 2001).

Hageman, who was a first-team All-Big Ten and third-team Associated Press All-American selection, made 38 tackles (26 solo) as a senior and also notched 13 tackles-for-loss. He recorded two sacks, broke up eight passes, recorded one interception, recovered one fumble and blocked both a field goal and extra point in his final year at Minnesota.

Hageman, who was recruited to Minnesota as a tight end, played in 46 games during his career and registered 91 tackles (57 solo) and 24 tackles-for-loss. He also posted 10 sacks and broke up 11 passes.

The Atlanta Falcons visit TCF Bank Stadium, where the Minnesota Vikings will play for the next two seasons, on Sept. 28.

Minnesota defensive back Brock Vereen was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round with the 131st overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Vereen joins teammate Ra'Shede Hageman in being picked in the 2014 NFL Draft, as Hageman went to the Atlanta Falcons in the second round as the No. 37 overall pick. Hageman and Vereen are highest two Gophers to be picked in NFL Draft since 2001 when Minnesota had three players (Willie Middlebrooks, Karon Riley and Ben Hamilton) picked in the first 113 selections.

Vereen, who played both cornerback and safety for the Gophers played in 47 games and made four interceptions, 200 tackles (127 solo), 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 26 pass breakups and forced two fumbles. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches.