SUU's Killebrew drafted by Detroit Lions; Sims goes to Titans


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CHICAGO — Former Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew didn't just realize a lifelong goal of graduating from college Saturday.

He also heard his named called on the final day of the NFL Draft, after the Detroit Lions selected him with the 111th overall pick of the fourth round, staged at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre.

Killebrew became the highest-ever draft pick in Southern Utah history, surpassing former seventh-round pick Brad Sorensen by the San Diego Chargers in 2013.

Cornerback LeShaun Sims added to SUU's incredible draft after the Tennessee Titans selected him with the 157th overall pick of the fifth round.

SUU's Killebrew drafted by Detroit Lions; Sims goes to Titans

The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Killebrew led the SUU defense with 132 tackles, including 74 solo tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss as a senior in 2015. He also had seven passes defended and two blocked kicks while helping the Thunderbirds to their No. 1 mark in the FCS in turnover margin.

He was on his way to SUU's graduation Saturday morning when his phone rang, and moments later was ushered to a conference call with local reporters.

"I froze for a second, kind of like a deer in headlights when I saw the phone ringing," Killebrew, who earned a degree in engineering, told the Associated Press. "I'm still kind of geeking out about it a little bit here in the car. ... I'm on cloud nine."

The former Foothill High (Henderson, Nev.) standout was an all-Big Sky honoree all four years, beginning with all-league honorable mention honors in 2012 and 2013. He tallied a career-high three interceptions for 105 yards as a junior in 2014, with 15 tackles and a pick-six against Nevada.

He joins current Lions Ziggy Ansah (BYU), Kyle Van Noy (BYU) and Nevin Lawson (Utah State) in going from the Beehive State to the Motor City. It's a list of hard-hitting Lions — just the way Killebrew likes it.

"I would much rather be the hammer than the nail," the former Thunderbird nicknamed 'Killa' said. "In its purest sense, football is a collision sport, and as long as I'm doing it safely and legally, I enjoy it."

Sims totaled 54 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss as a senior in 2015, and also hauled in two interceptions with 12 passes defended and a forced fumble.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Sims earned all-Big Sky honors as a junior and senior, adding 67 tackles, two fumble recoveries and nine pass breakups in 2014 for the Thunderbirds.

A former eight-man football standout at Las Vegas’ Agassi Prep, Sims received second-team all-state honors as a wide receiver and defensive back. He tallied 52 tackles and six interceptions as a senior on the defensive side of the ball, and racked up 400 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver.

Contributing: Associated Press, Andy Larsen, Jeremiah Jensen

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