April 29, 2007

THIBODAUX, La. - Former Colonel standout left tackle Jacob Bender was taken by the New York Jets in the sixth round (177th overall pick) of the 2007 NFL Draft on Sunday. Bender, who did not participate in the NFL Combine, is the first offensive lineman to be drafted in the NFL in school history.

In 1984, Ronald Motton was drafted to the Houston Gamblers and Jay Pennison was drafted by the Jacksonville Bulls, but those two teams are formerly of the USFL. Pennison went on to play for the Houston Oilers.

Bender is also the first Colonel taken in the NFL draft since Chris Thompson was drafted in the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004. Thompson, who was the 110th overall pick in 2004, was named to the 2002 Sports Network/FCS I-AA All-America Third Team and the National Weekly Football Gazette All-America Second Team in 2003.

"This is such a great honor for Jacob because he has worked really hard to have this opportunity," said head coach Jay Thomas. "I know his teammates are very happy for him and the coaches are very proud that he will get to play at the next level. This is great for our program and it shows that guys can still play in the triple-option offense and have a chance to play on Sundays."

Bender was the first Southland Conference player to get drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, and is only the Jets third pick in the draft. The Mayo, Maryland native was a two-time All-Southland Conference First Team selection for Nicholls where he helped lead the Colonels to their first ever SLC Championship in 2005.

In his senior campaign in 2006, Bender was named to the 2006 Sports Network/FCS I-AA All-America Third Team and selected to the College Sporting News Fabulous 50 FSN All-Star team. He also participated in the Magnolia Gridiron All-Star Classic that was held in Jackson, Miss.

During his four year career at Nicholls, Bender started 31 career games at Nicholls while playing in a total of 42 contests in a Colonel uniform.

Bender will participate in the New York Jets' Rookie Mini-Camp May 12-14. The camp will be held on the campus of Hofstra University in Long Island, New York. Selected veterans of the Jets will take part in the camp as well.

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