TAMPA ? Linebacker Tyrone McKenzie became the 11th player in USF football history to be selected in the NFL Draft when the New England Patriots chose him in the third round with the 97th pick.

McKenzie is the third USF linebacker to be taken in the history of the Draft, following Stephen Nicholas (fourth round in 2007) and Kawika Mitchell (second round in 2003), and the eighth defensive player.

"Our entire program is very excited for Tyrone," said USF head coach Jim Leavitt. "He was a tremendous player and person during his two years within the Bulls family. He worked hard for this moment and will be a great addition to the New England Patriots."

He became the first Bull to be selected in the third round.  Mike Jenkins made history in 2008, when he was selected in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys.  USF has never had a player selected in the sixth round.  

"I would just say that, of all the players that I talked to and we interviewed this year ? even through the years ? I would say that Tyrone is amongst the most impressive in maturity, intelligence," said Belichick. "What he's done, with the opportunities he's had, or had to overcome, how he's approached them, how he's dealt with them, how he's made the most of them, it hasn't been easy. He's continued to excel and jump over hurdles and overcome obstacles that I think would have derailed a lot of other people or football players. I think he's very, very impressive, a mature, humble young man.”

USF's 11 NFL draftees have all come since the 2001 Draft, when Kenyatta Jones, Anthony Henry and Bill Gramatica became the first Bulls selected and coincidentally went No. 96, 97, 98.

That same season was the only other time a Bull has been drafted by the Patriots, who took Jones at the exact same selection - No. 97 - but during the fourth round of that draft.

McKenzie was a standout during his two seasons in Green and Gold.  He racked up a USF record 237 tackles over the last two seasons.  During his junior campaign, his first with USF, he set a program record with 121 tackles. 

He continued to dominate defensively in 2008 with 116 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, one interception, one sack and eight pass breakups. He was a consensus 2008 first team All-BIG EAST performer.

McKenzie was the 10th player selected from the BIG EAST, which had nine players selected during the first day of the draft.

The New England Patriots are one of the dominant teams in the NFL, who were favorites for Super Bowl prior until Tom Brady injured his knee last season.