April 28, 2012

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Former Purdue offensive tackle Dennis Kelly was selected in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 153rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Kelly's selection marks the 15th consecutive season at least one Purdue player has been chosen in the pro draft.

Kelly, from Chicago Heights, Ill., appeared in 42 career games at Purdue, including starts in 37 consecutive games from 2009-2011. He was named the team's Bob Griese Offensive Most Valuable Player in both 2010 and 2011, while serving as a team captain his senior year. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2010 and 2011.

With Kelly anchoring the left tackle spot, the 2011 Boilermaker line cleared the way for a running game that produced 11 100-yard rushing games in 13 contests, including 393 yards against Southeast Missouri and 265 yards against Western Michigan in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.

In Kelly's junior season, the line opened holes for a rushing attack that finished with five straight games with 200 or more yards on the ground, a feat that had been accomplished at Purdue only twice before.

Kelly is the first offensive lineman drafted out of Purdue since 2007 when Uche Nwaneri was selected in the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Mike Otto was tabbed in the seventh round by Tennessee Titans in the seventh round.