There's a Star going to Carolina


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SALT LAKE CITY — "With the 14th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle, Utah." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

With that, the professional career for the defensive tackle out of Utah begins.

"I'm thrilled to finally know where I will begin my professional football career. I've heard great things about the Carolina organization and the city of Charlotte. I can't wait to get started." Star Lotulelei said.

Lotulelei is the first defensive tackle the Carolina Panthers have selected in the first round.

Mike Mayock from the NFL Network says what you get with Star is "Leverage, power, and explosion." He went on to say that this is a really good value pick.

"Carolina will love him inside, it's a great pair with Dwan Edwards."

Lotulelei will join former Utah Utes Steve Smith and Jordan Gross in Carolina.

This is a very difficult offensive division where Star will need to make an impact immediately. Drew Brees has always had a powerful offense in New Orleans. Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons went to the NFC title game just last season.

"I'm stoked. Ready to get out there and go to work. I couldn't be happier with the team that picked me. I'm ready to go out there and do whatever the team needs me to do. It was great to be with my family and friends today. I couldn't be happier to be a Carolina Panther. It was great to get the phone call from the Panthers. Real happy...very emotional...real happy to be in this position. Very excited to work with the Panther defensive staff."

*These are some more notes about Utah's draft history thanks to Jeremiah Jensen. These are the Utes first round draft history.

1959 Lee Grosscup No. 10 (N.Y. Giants)

1971 Norm Thompson, No. 17 (St. Louis)

1995 Luther Elliss, No. 20 (Detroit)

1998 Kevin Dyson, No. 16 (Tennessee)

2003 Jordan Gross, No. 8 (Carolina)

2005 Alex Smith, No. 1 (San Francisco)

2013 Star Lotulelei No. 14 (Carolina Panthers)

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