2015 NFL Draft results: Notes and facts about selection of D.J. Humphries

The Arizona Cardinals released some draft notes after the first round was completed on Thursday. It might be of interest to you fans.

The Cardinals used the 24th overall selection in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft to select OT D.J. Humphries out of the University of Florida. He was the sixth offensive lineman taken in the first round and the fifth tackle behind Brandon Scherff (5th overall, Washington), Ereck Flowers (9th overall, NY Giants), Andrus Peat (13th overall, New Orleans) and Cedric Ogbuehi (21st overall, Cincinnati).

Humphries was one of five tackles drafted in the first round of the 2015 draft. The only position that saw more players drafted was wide receiver (6).

Humphries becomes the 10th Florida player ever selected by the Cardinals in NFL Draft and first since LB Johnny Rutledge in the second round (51st overall) in 1999. He becomes the first Florida player ever selected by the Cardinals in the first round.

He becomes the first Florida offensive lineman selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since C Mike Pouncey went to Miami with the 15th overall pick in 2011.

The selection of Humphries marks the second time in three years that the Cardinals used their first round pick on an offensive lineman. In 2013, Arizona selected G Jonathan Cooper with the 7th overall selection. Dating back to 1970, the Cardinals have now used their first round pick on an offensive lineman eight times, more than any other position.

Cardinals First-Round Draft Picks By Position (1970-Present)

The Cardinals have had the 24th overall pick in the NFL Draft just twice in franchise history. They have used that pick on an offensive lineman both times. Prior to the selection of Humphries, the only time the Cardinals held the 24th overall pick in the draft was in 1964 when they took Kentucky G Herschel Turner, and that pick was in the second round.

College/High School highlights

During his three seasons at Florida, Humphries appeared in 29 games (19 starts) at left tackle before declaring for the NFL Draft following his junior season.

As a junior in 2014, Humphries started all 10 games he appeared in at LT for the Gators, missing two games due to injury.

As a true freshman in 2012, Humphries appeared in all 12 games (three starts) and was named to the SEC Coaches' All-Freshman team and was a Sporting News Freshman All-American.

Humphries attended Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC) High School, where he was named a first-team high school All-American by USA Today, ESPN, Rivals.com, MaxPreps and Sports Illustrated. Humphries started all four seasons and did not allow a sack over the final three years of his prep career.

Humphries' father has Cardinals connections

Humphries father, also named D.J., is a former Arena League wide receiver who played two seasons for the Carolina Coasters. The elder Humphries was signed as a rookie free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in 2002. He was briefly a teammate of current Cardinals punter Dave Zastudil with the Ravens, who selected Zastudil in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

The elder Humphries played football and basketball at Presbyterian College, the alma mater of Cardinals two-time Pro Bowler Justin Bethel. He earned Division II All-American honors after catching 95 passes as a senior.

The Cards go with an underclassman

The 2015 NFL Draft is the third for Cardinals GM Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians. Humphries becomes the fourth underclassman drafted by the duo in that time. The other three were Kevin Minter and Tyrann Mathieu, taken in the second and third rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft, and Troy Niklas, taken in the second round of last year's draft.

In the last 15 years, the Cardinals have now used their first round pick on an underclassman four times (2015-Humphries; 2011-CB Patrick Peterson; 2009-RB Beanie Wells; 2004-WR Larry Fitzgerald).