Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon Drafted Fifth By Jacksonville

Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon was selected No. 5 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, making him the 18th OSU player to be selected in the first round and the highest since Barry Sanders was selected third overall in 1989.

Early in the draft process, Blackmon was considered a lock to be a top-four pick, with the Cleveland Browns needing assistance at several offensive skill positions. In the days leading up to the draft, analysts began to report that his stock was slipping, however the reports proved to be false.

"I really want to thank Coach Gundy, my receivers coaches Brewer and Dunn, my strength coaches Glass and Tudman, all my teammates and the entire staff at Oklahoma State," Blackmon said in a press release. "I'm proud that I got to be part of a group that accomplished so many firsts at OSU. We had so much fun and I wouldn't trade my experience for anything."

The two-time Biletnikoff Award winner burst onto the scene in his sophomore season, helping to fill the void left by the loss of Dez Bryant, amassing 1,782 yards and a national-best 20 TDs on 111 receptions. His junior season was more of the same, finishing with 122 receptions for 1,522 yards and 18 TDs.

Those two seasons combined with his quiet freshman year puts Blackmon second in all major statistical categories on OSU's all-time record list, with 253 receptions, 3,564 yards and 40 touchdowns.

"He brought so much to our program but one thing that I'll remember about him is how hard he worked when it wasn't game day," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. "Justin was our best practice player and set the tone for our team by his work ethic and buying in to what we were trying to accomplish as a program. He will have a lasting impact at Oklahoma State."

In 2011, the Jaguars were last in the NFL in total offense and passing yards, with no player receiving for more than 420 yards. Blackmon joins an offense that features a Pro Bowl running back in Maurice Jones-Drew and second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert.