FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas defensive lineman Darius Philon has been selected by the San Diego Chargers as the 16th pick in the sixth round (192nd overall) in the 2015 National Football League Draft.
Philon is the 28th Razorback defensive lineman to be selected in the NFL draft and the 11th Razorback to be drafted by the Chargers.
The Mobile, Alabama native is the eighth Razorback to be drafted under second-year head coach Bret Bielema. Bielema has had seven defensive lineman drafted in his eight-year head coaching career, including two-time Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, J.J. Watt.
Philon joins defensive lineman Trey Flowers (4th round), linebacker Martrell Spaight (5th round) and cornerback Tevin Mitchel (6thround) as Razorback selections in the 2015 draft. It is the first time since 1989 that Arkansas has had four defenders picked in a single draft.
In his two-year playing career with the Razorbacks, Philon saw action in all 25 games with starts in 18 contests. In his sophomore year, Philon was named an AP second team All-SEC selection after logging 46 tackles, including 11.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. His three fumble recoveries tied for the conference lead and ranked No. 10 in the nation.
Philon registered his first-career touchdown against Northern Illinois in 2014 after returning a fumble 14 yards to the end zone. Against No. 8 Ole Miss, Philon earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after he recovered his third and final fumble and returned it seven yards in the 30-0 shutout over the Rebels.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
"Outstanding burst and quickness off the snap. Penetrator with ability to make plays on the other side of the line if he wins early. Able to blow up zone plays with quickness. Plays with desired bend. Uses rip to establish advantage on edge and then plays with leverage to maintain his position through the play. High school defensive end who brings more advanced hand usage and pass-rush moves to the interior spot. Has athleticism to mirror and help contain quarterbacks thinking of bolting from pocket. Plus speed to the sideline in pursuit." - NFL.com
"Fires out of his stance with the quickness to disrupt the backfield... plays the piano, moving up and down the line of scrimmage with a flexible frame and lower body movement skills... shows the pursuit speed to give chase and make plays on the edges... natural pass rush traits to slip blocks with active hands and double-moves, understanding that leverage is his best friend... plays alert as a run defender to plug gaps, tracking the ball well... strikes through his target with pop, wrapping and finishing tackles... hustles and plays with a consistent motor... productive 2014 campaign, finishing second on the team in tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (4.5) and quarterback hurries (six)." - CBSSports.com
"Outstanding first-step quickness and lateral agility for the position. Also has very quick hands to keep blockers from latching onto pads. Will get offensive linemen off balance with initial quickness, and then exploit with double-move back inside. Quick hands and flashes effective rip, swat, and swim moves, but needs more power to increase effectiveness. Runs a tight loop and is efficient with movement on games. Shows good bend. Effective mirror-slide to help contain mobile quarterbacks'." - 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 THE CHARGERS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| YR | RD | OVR | NAME |
| 2015 | 6 | 192 | Darius Philon |
| 1996 | 5 | 155 | Junior Soli |
| 1994 | 2 | 43 | Isaac Davis |
| 1993 | 4 | 95 | Raylee Johnson |
| 1983 | 4 | 95 | Danny Walters |
| 1983 | 1 | 5 | Billy Ray Smith, Jr. |
| 1983 | 1 | 20 | Gary Anderson |
| 1981 | 6 | 162 | Bobby Duckworth |
| 1977 | 10 | 265 | Curtis Townsend |
| 1972 | 3 | 61 | Bill McClard |
| 1971 | 7 | 169 | Chuck Dicus |