Two former Sun Devils selected in NFL draft


Former Arizona State University football players Paul Fanaika and Troy Nolan both had their names called in the National Football League's draft this weekend.

Fanaika was the first Sun Devil to be selected, going in the seventh round (213th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in 48 games on the offensive line over his four years at ASU, ending his career with 35 consecutive starts at right guard and twice earning honorable mention All-Pacific-10 Conference honors.

Just ten picks later, the Houston Texans selected Nolan in the seventh round (223rd overall). Nolan started all 25 games of his ASU career at safety, and he served as a team captain in 2008. He earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors both years, and he had 10 interceptions and five defensive touchdowns in his two seasons as a Sun Devil.

On Monday, it was also announced that former Sun Devil wide receiver Michael Jones (Houston Texans) and quarterback Rudy Carpenter (Dallas Cowboys) signed rookie free agent contracts.