Oklahoma outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was picked by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round with the No. 160 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Okoronkwo is the fourth Sooners player selected, joining quarterback Baker Mayfield (No. 1 overall to Cleveland), offensive tackle Orlando Brown (No. 83 to Baltimore) and tight end Mark Andrews (No. 86 to Baltimore).
Oklahoma has had four players selected in each of the previous two drafts.
Okoronkwo blossomed into a star in his final two seasons in Norman, combining for 147 tackles and 17 sacks over the last two seasons.
He finished with 21 career sacks, good for second on OU’s career chart as a linebacker and seventh overall.
In 2017, he was used primarily as an edge-rushing end in Oklahoma’s defense.
He was a first-team Walter Camp All-American and co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Okoronkwo is the first Sooners player picked by the Rams since Jonathan Nelson in 2011.
Okoronkwo is the second consecutive linebacker selected by the Rams, who picked Virginia inside linebacker Micah Kiser in the fifth round.
Flowers inks undrafted free agent deal
Fullback Dimitri Flowers didn’t hear his name called through seven rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.
But after the selections concluded on Saturday evening, he found a landing spot to begin his professional career.
Flowers signed an undrafted free agent deal with the New York Jets.
“I’m coming in ready to work,” he tweeted. “Grateful for the opportunity!”
Flowers was one of OU’s most versatile offensive weapons last season, recording 464 receiving yards on 26 catches. He caught five touchdowns and scored four more on the ground.
Though he wasn’t drafted, Flowers has a high ceiling, according to analysts.
“I could see him playing in the NFL for a decade,” Fox Sports reporter Bruce Feldman tweeted. “Really versatile and might’ve been the smartest player in the Sooners’ program.”
Sooners reunite on NFL teams
While many OU players will begin their professional careers with an entirely new set of teammates, a few will see some familiar faces in their new team’s locker rooms.
Safety Steven Parker signed with the L.A. Rams as an undrafted free agent, joining Okoronkwo on the west coast.
Center Erick Wren will see his quarterback again in Cleveland as the big man signed as an undrafted free agent with Mayfield’s Browns.
Defensive tackle Du’Vonta Lampkin signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Ravens, becoming the third Sooner heading to Baltimore from the 2018 NFL Draft. He’ll join Andrews and Brown.
More former OU players sign as undrafted free agents
While only four Sooners were drafted, at least seven will sign as undrafted free agents.
Wide receiver Jeff Badet is joining the Minnesota Vikings, while linebacker Emmanuel Beal signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
Cornerback Jordan Thomas joined Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champions.