FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas defensive lineman Trey Flowers has been selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the 101st overall pick.
The Huntsville, Alabama native is the first draft selection for Arkansas in 2015 and is the 251st player in Razorback history to be selected in the NFL draft. Flowers becomes the 27th Arkansas defensive lineman to ever be selected and the seventh player in program history drafted by the Patriots.
Flowers is the fifth Razorback to be drafted under second-year head coach Bret Bielema. Bielema has had six defensive lineman drafted in his eight-year head coaching career, including two-time Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, J.J. Watt.
A senior captain for the Razorbacks last season, Flowers was an essential cog in Arkansas’ defense since he stepped on campus in 2011. Flowers appeared in 49 games, missing just one game in his entire Razorback career. Flowers finished with the second-most tackles for loss in program history with 47.5.
As a senior, Flowers was named to the Coaches All-SEC second team and earned AP All-SEC honorable mention after posting 68 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks on the year.
Flowers completed his Razorback career with 190 tackles, 47.5 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks for a loss of 178 yards.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
"High-motor power end. Uses stab move effectively and is continuing to grow as a pass rusher. Consistent with hand placement and is technically sound. Stacks and sheds in run game. Had a strong game against Texas A&M tackle Cedric Ogbuehi. Good student. Doesn't look like much athletically, but finds his way to the ball against the run." - NFL.com
"Flowers looks the part of an NFL defensive lineman with broad shoulders, long arms and good overall musculature. Average initial quickness for the position but generates good speed off the corner because of his long gait. Length and strength of his arms -- used effectively to discard blockers and lasso ball-carriers on the move ?- are his best traits." - CBSSports.com
"Outstanding football character. Team-first guy with great intangibles. Extremely well-liked and respected at school. Good student and handles his business off the field. Was named to Razorback Honor Roll in fall of 2011 and SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2012. No off-field issues. Comes from two-parent supportive home. Son of Robert and Jacqueline Flowers. Majoring in economics." - ESPN.com
| ARKANSAS DEFENSIVE LINEMEN DRAFT HISTORY | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YR | RD | OVR | NAME | TEAM |
| 2015 | 6 | 192 | Darius Philon | San Diego Chargers |
| 2015 | 4 | 101 | Trey Flowers | New England Patriots |
| 2014 | 5 | 159 | Chris Smith | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2012 | 3 | 90 | Jake Bequette | New England Patriots |
| 2008 | 3 | 90 | Marcus Harrison | Chicago Bears |
| 2007 | 1 | 8 | Jamaal Anderson | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2007 | 7 | 248 | Keith Jackson, Jr. | St. Louis Rams |
| 2001 | 6 | 167 | Randy Garner | Atlanta Falcons |
| 1999 | 6 | 202 | Melvin Bradley | Arizona Cardinals |
| 1999 | 7 | 225 | Ryan Hale | New York Giants |
| 1998 | 7 | 235 | David Sanders | Oakland Raiders |
| 1996 | 5 | 155 | Junior Soli | San Diego Chargers |
| 1994 | 1 | 26 | Henry Ford | Houston Oilers |
| 1993 | 4 | 95 | Raylee Johnson | San Diego Chargers |
| 1989 | 1 | 19 | Wayne Martin | New Orleans Saints |
| 1984 | 1 | 15 | Ron Faurot | New York Jets |
| 1979 | 1 | 4 | Dan Hampton | Chicago Bears |
| 1975 | 15 | 380 | Brison Manor | New York Jets |
| 1973 | 5 | 106 | Dave Reavis | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1973 | 10 | 258 | Don Wunderly | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1967 | 1 | 10 | Loyd Phillips | Chicago Bears |
| 1966 | 16 | 237 | Jim Williams | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1962 | 16 | 223 | Jerry Mazzanti | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1957 | 3 | 26 | Billy Ray Smith, Sr. | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1952 | 5 | 52 | Dave Hanner | Green Bay Packers |
| 1952 | 5 | 56 | Fred Williams | Chicago Bears |
| 1951 | 26 | 315 | Fred Williams | Cleveland Browns |
| 1940 | 16 | 148 | Bolo Perdue | Washington Redskins |
| 1938 | 6 | 41 | Ray Hamilton | Cleveland Rams |
| BIELEMA COACHED D-LINEMEN DRAFT HISTORY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YR | RD | OVR | NAME | TEAM | COLLEGE |
| 2015 | 6 | 192 | Darius Philon | San Diego Chargers | Arkansas |
| 2015 | 4 | 101 | Trey Flowers | New England Patriots | Arkansas |
| 2014 | 7 | 224 | Beau Allen | Philadelphia Eagles | Wisconsin |
| 2014 | 5 | 159 | Chris Smith | Jacksonville Jaguars | Arkansas |
| 2011 | 1 | 11 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Wisconsin |
| 2010 | 4 | 130 | O'Brien Schofield | Arizona Cardinals | Wisconsin |
| 2009 | 3 | 71 | Matt Shaughnessy | Oakland Raiders | Wisconsin |
| 2008 | 6 | 181 | Nick Hayden | Carolina Panthers | Wisconsin |
| RAZORBACKS DRAFTED BY PATRIOTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RD | OVR | NAME | POS | YEAR |
| 6 | 202 | AJ Derby | TE | 2015 |
| 4 | 101 | Trey Flowers | DE | 2015 |
| 3 | 90 | Jake Bequette | DE | 2012 |
| 3 | 74 | Ryan Mallett | QB | 2011 |
| 4 | 128 | Cedric Cobbs | RB | 2004 |
| 4 | 109 | Gerald Skinner | T | 1977 |
| 2 | 35 | Ike Forte | RB | 1976 |
| 9 | 220 | Mike Kelson | T | 1972 |