DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University two-time All-American Sutton Smith became the second Huskie selected in the 2019 National Football League Draft when the Pittsburgh Steelers chose him with the 175th pick in the 6th round Saturday.
 
Smith's selection marks the first time since 2014 that two Huskies have been drafted in the same year. Left tackle Max Scharping was taken by the Houston Texans with the 55th overall selection in the 2nd round Friday.
 
The 39th NIU player all-time chosen in the NFL Draft, Smith was the first Huskie to earn first team All-America honors in back-to-back years and was a consensus choice in 2017. Smith, a native of St. Charles, Mo., ranked fourth in the nation in sacks and tackles for loss per game. He set the school record for sacks in a season with 15 in 2018 and the NIU mark for tackles for loss in 2017 with 29.5.
 
The 2018 Vern Smith Award winner (MAC MVP), Smith led an NIU defense that set the school record for team sacks in a season with 50. In addition to his ability to stop opposing offenses, Smith, who earned MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second-consecutive year, also scored a pair of touchdowns in 2018. His first came after he blocked his second punt of the year in NIU's win over Toledo, while his second, an 85-yard fumble return for a TD, came at Western Michigan.
 
Smith, who came to NIU as a running back, ranks third on NIU's all-time sacks list with 30, while his 56 career tackles for loss ranks second to Larry English, who amassed 63 in his four-year career at NIU. English, the highest draft choice in NIU history is also NIU's all-time sack leader with 31.5.
 
NIU opens the 2019 season Saturday, Aug. 31 when the Huskies welcome Illinois State to Huskie Stadium. Season tickets for the 2019 NIU Football season are now available for renewal, and the Huskies are also taking deposits for new season tickets.  Prices start at just $125 for individual reserved season tickets, but can be purchased for as little as $55 through the Family Pack, or for $60 for general admission tickets.
 
-NIU-