TEMPE, Ariz. - Sun Devil Football linemen Jamil Douglas and Marcus Hardison were both taken in the fourth round of the 2015 National Football League draft.
Douglas, an offensive tackle at Arizona State, was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 114th overall pick and Hardison, a defensive lineman at ASU, went to the Cincinnati Bengals with the 135th overall pick.
Four Sun Devils were taken in the top four rounds of the NFL draft for the first time since 2000 as Douglas and Hardison joined wide receiver Jaelen Strong (third round) and safety Damarious Randall (first round). This is the fourth time in the past 16 seasons ASU has had four players drafted, and three or more Sun Devils have been selected in nine of the past 16 drafts.
Douglas is the first ASU offensive lineman taken in the NFL draft since Shawn Lauvao went to the Cleveland Browns in the third round in 2010 and the 12th offensive lineman selected since 2000. Hardison is the second ASU defensive lineman taken in the top four rounds of the draft in the past two seasons, joining Will Sutton, and is the seventh defensive lineman taken since 2000.
Douglas, a two-time All-Pac-12 honoree and three-time Pac-12 All-Academic recipient, started 40 consecutive games on the offensive line and appeared in 53 total over his four-year career. He played an integral role in guiding ASU’s offense to 454.8 yards per game from 2012-14, ASU’s highest average over a three-year span since 1971-73. A native of Cypress, Calif., and a team captain in 2014, he helped pave the way for running backs D.J. Foster and Marion Grice, who rushed for 1,000 yards and 996 yards, respectively, in consecutive seasons. In addition, Douglas was a key piece that helped quarterback Taylor Kelly become ASU’s all-time leader in total offensive yards with 10,223.
Hardison earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention recognition in 2014 after he led the Devils with 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He also added two interceptions, a fumble recovery, four passes defended, two pass breakups and 53 tackles. A native of Punta Gorda, Fla., he started 26 games in two seasons at ASU and played a large role in the Devils finishing in the top eight in the nation in both sacks and tackles for loss in 2014.
Defensive linemen selected in the NFL draft under Jackie Shipp
Marcus Hardison – 135th overall, Cincinnati Bengals, 2015
Will Sutton – 82nd overall, Chicago Bears, 2014
Stacy McGee – 205th overall, Oakland Raiders, 2013
Frank Alexander - 103rd overall, Carolina Panthers, 2012
Gerald McCoy – 3rd overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2010
C.J. Ah You – 239th overall, Buffalo Bills, 2007
Dusty Dvoracek – 73rd overall, Chicago Bears, 2006
Dan Cody – 53rd overall, Baltimore Ravens, 2005
Tommie Harris – 14th overall, Chicago Bears, 2004
Kindal Moorehead – 145th overall, Carolina Panthers, 2003
Jimmy Wilkerson – 189th overall, Kansas City Chiefs, 2003