Former Ohio State walk-on and special teams player Nate Ebner is heading to the NFL’s defending AFC champion New England Patriots.
The Patriots selected Ebner with the 197th overall pick in the sixth round of the NFL Draft Saturday.
Ebner, a former U.S. Rugby international at the under-19 and under-20 levels, recorded 12 tackles during OSU’s 2011 season. Ebner also saw limited time at the safety position for the Buckeyes, but made the most of those opportunities – he recorded a sack during the team’s 42-0 Sept. 3 win against Akron.
Seven of Ebner’s tackles were solo efforts.
Few draft experts predicted Ebner’s selection, though, the player did receive interest from the Patriots during the Buckeyes’ March 8 Pro Day workouts.
