North Carolina State University Athletics
Ekwonu Selected Sixth Overall by the Carolina Panthers
4/28/2022 9:02:00 PM | Football
Becomes Pack’s third NFL First Round selection in last five years
RALEIGH, N.C. – All-American OT Ikem Ekwonu became NC State's newest first round draft pick, and he will stay in the state of North Carolina. Ekwonu was selected sixth overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 NFL Draft, he was the first offensive player chosen in the draft.
 Ekwonu becomes the 18th player in NC State history to be drafted in the first round, and the third player in the last five years under head coach Dave Doeren: Bradley Chubb in 2018 and Garrett Bradbury in 2019.
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He also becomes the highest drafted offensive tackle in school history, and the first OT taken in the NFL Draft since Will Richardson in 2018 (4th Round by Jacksonville).
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This year also marks the seventh straight NFL Draft that the Pack has had a North Carolina native selected.
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A "dream come true"
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) April 29, 2022
📺 Tune-in to 2022 #NFLDraft – April 28-30 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC. pic.twitter.com/dNKELd5qCl
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He also becomes the highest drafted offensive tackle in school history, and the first OT taken in the NFL Draft since Will Richardson in 2018 (4th Round by Jacksonville).
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This year also marks the seventh straight NFL Draft that the Pack has had a North Carolina native selected.
Breakfast for dinner!@BigIck79 🥞 pic.twitter.com/hbou300qt1
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 29, 2022
Players Mentioned
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