Illinois football had to wait a bit on Saturday to have a player drafted into the NFL, but offensive lineman Ted Karras heard his name called.
The former Illini offensive lineman, who will likely play center in the NFL, was the final pick of the sixth round when the New England Patriots selected the Indianapolis native with the 221st overall pick of the draft.
Karras is the first offensive lineman from Illinois drafted since the Indianapolis Colts took Hugh Thornton during the third round of the 2013 draft.
Karras, 23, redshirted the 2011 season at Illinois before going on to make 43 career starts with the Illini, mainly at right guard.