University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
McGuire Goes To New York Jets In Sixth Round Of 2017 NFL Draft
4/29/2017 3:49:00 PM | Football
All-time leader in all-purpose yards headed to Big Apple
LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire is finally fulfilling his dream of playing in the National Football League.
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The Houma, La., native and all-time leader Ragin' Cajuns football history in all-purpose yards, touchdowns and points scored, was selected on Saturday in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
"It feels wonderful. I didn't really care which team I was going to," McGuire said to the Houma Courier. "It was a great moment to get drafted. I'm excited to be a New York Jet. I can't wait to get there and just compete and help the team.
"I didn't expect to go to the Jets. I had spoken to them maybe twice at the combine and that was it. For them to take me means everything. I appreciate them for that."
McGuire, the 188th overall selection in the draft, was taken by the Jets as the fourth pick in the sixth round. The 2014 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year finished second in school history in rushing yards (4,312) while finishing as the Ragin' Cajuns all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,968), scoring (318) and total touchdowns (52).
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"It's only fitting that Eli cap off a great career by being drafted into the National Football League," head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "I am excited for him as he continues to reach his goals as a new member of the New York Jets. He has always made us proud and we in Cajun Nation are very proud of him."
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The selection of McGuire marked the first for the Ragin' Cajuns since 2015 when Christian Ringo was picked in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers. Â
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The Houma, La., native and all-time leader Ragin' Cajuns football history in all-purpose yards, touchdowns and points scored, was selected on Saturday in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
"It feels wonderful. I didn't really care which team I was going to," McGuire said to the Houma Courier. "It was a great moment to get drafted. I'm excited to be a New York Jet. I can't wait to get there and just compete and help the team.
"I didn't expect to go to the Jets. I had spoken to them maybe twice at the combine and that was it. For them to take me means everything. I appreciate them for that."
McGuire, the 188th overall selection in the draft, was taken by the Jets as the fourth pick in the sixth round. The 2014 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year finished second in school history in rushing yards (4,312) while finishing as the Ragin' Cajuns all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,968), scoring (318) and total touchdowns (52).
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"It's only fitting that Eli cap off a great career by being drafted into the National Football League," head coach Mark Hudspeth said. "I am excited for him as he continues to reach his goals as a new member of the New York Jets. He has always made us proud and we in Cajun Nation are very proud of him."
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The selection of McGuire marked the first for the Ragin' Cajuns since 2015 when Christian Ringo was picked in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers. Â
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