WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Purdue Sports) — Purdue's Brycen Hopkins was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 136th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 National Football League Draft. Hopkins is the first Boilermaker tight end selected in the NFL Draft since Dustin Keller was tabbed by the New York Jets in the first round in 2008.
Hopkins, the 2019 Big Ten Tight End of the Year, a first-team All-Big Ten selection and semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, enters the pro ranks coming off his finest collegiate season. The Nashville, Tennessee native finished the year with 61 receptions for 830 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. It was the most receptions and receiving yards by a Purdue tight end since Keller wrapped up his senior year with 68 catches for 881 yards in 2007.
Having appeared in 48 collegiate games, including 15 starts, Hopkins ended his Boilermaker career with 130 receptions for 1,945 yards and 16 touchdowns. His career reception tally is the most by a Purdue tight end since Keller had 142 catches from 2004-07 and Hopkins' yardage total was the highest by any Purdue player at his position since Tim Stratton had 2,088 yards from 1998-2000.
Hopkins' selection is the highest by a Boilermaker since Kawann Short went 44th overall in the second round of the 2013 draft and he is the first Purdue player picked by the Rams since Fred Strickland was chosen by Los Angeles in the second round of the 1988 draft.
Hopkins graduated from Purdue with a bachelor's degree in selling and sales management in December of 2019.
Hopkins' father, Brad, was a first-round draft pick in 1983 and played 13 seasons in the NFL for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Oilers/Titans as an All-Pro left tackle.
