Penn State linebacker Josh Hull was selected with the next-to-last pick in the NFL draft Saturday, making him Mr. Almost Irrelevant.
"I heard it," Hull said of that title Saturday night. "My response is I started from the bottom before as a walk-on at Penn State, and I did everything in my power to become a starter and lead the team in tackles my senior year.
"You better believe I'm going to do everything I can possibly do to make the 53-man roster and contribute to the team this year."
Hull went to the St. Louis Rams with the 254th overall pick, barely avoiding the popular Mr. Irrelevant distinction that goes to the final player drafted. Hull was the last of three Penn State players taken Saturday, and the school had six players chosen overall.
Tight end Andrew Quarless went to the Green Bay Packers with the 23rd pick in the fifth round (154th overall). Tight end Mickey Shuler went to the Minnesota Vikings with the seventh pick of the seventh round (214th overall).
Quarterback Daryll Clark was not drafted.
Pittsburgh also had two tight ends chosen Saturday. Nate Byham went to the San Francisco 49ers with the 13th pick in the sixth round (182nd overall), and Dorin Dickerson went to the Houston Texas with the 20th pick of the seventh round (227th overall).
Penn State cornerback A.J. Wallace signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
As for Hull, he went from being heavily criticized by Penn State fans two years ago to becoming an NFL draft pick.
"I'm extremely happy," Hull said. "Going into it, I really just wanted an opportunity. It was coming down to the end [of the draft], and I really didn't think it would happen for me. When they finally did call my name I was extremely excited."
Hull was asked if he would have been better off not getting drafted so late and signing as a free agent with a team that may suit him better.
"That's a real difficult question to answer," he said. "I was so happy that I got the opportunity to get drafted. There are so many kids out there that were in my position that really wanted the opportunity. ... I'm really blessed that I ended up getting drafted. I wouldn't complain a bit about it."
