TCU's Niang Selected in Third Round of 2020 NFL Draft

TCU offensive tackle Lucas Niang was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Friday night, April 24. He was selected 96th by the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Niang became the fourth TCU player drafted from a 2019 Horned Frogs football team that finished 5-7 overall and in seventh place in the Big 12 with a 3-6 conference record. TCU did not qualify for a bowl game for the third time in Patterson’s 19-year TCU head-coaching career. The other two times were after the 2004 and 2013 seasons.

This was the first time ever that TCU had four players selected through three rounds of the draft.

TCU wide receiver/returner Jalen Reagor and cornerback Jeff Gladney were selected Thursday night (April 23) in the draft's first round by the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, respectively.

The Eagles made Reagor the 21st overall pick in the historic draft that is being held virtually over several days because of the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The Vikings took Gladney with the 31st selection.

It is the first time since the 1939 NFL draft that the Horned Frogs have had two players taken in the draft's first round.

TCU defensive end Ross Blacklock was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Friday night, April 24. He was selected 40th by the Houston Texans.

Niang, a senior, started six of the opening seven games of last season at right tackle for the Frogs. He missed the final five contests due to injury. He did not allow a sack for the second consecutive season. 

During his junior season in 2018, Niang started all 13 games at right tackle. He was the Frogs only offensive lineman to start all 13 games. He did not allow a sack and had an 86.3 percent grade by Pro Football Focus, which made him the highest-graded pass blocker among Big 12 offensive tackles who played a minimum of 300 snaps in 2018 and returned for the 2019 campaign. 

As a sophomore in 2017, Niang played in 12 games. He started the final eight games of the regular season. As a true freshman in 2016, he saw action in 12 of 13 games.

TCU offensive tackle Lucas Niang (#77, photos above and below) was selected in the third round (96th) of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the reigning Super Bowl champions.