Former Duck, Beaver go in 1st round of NFL Draft

DETROIT Mich. (KPTV) - A pair of local products were selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix was selected 12th overall by the Denver Broncos, while Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga went to the New Orleans Saints with the 14th pick.

Nix, a Heisman Trophy finalist this past season for the Ducks, spent two years in Eugene after transferring from Auburn in his home state of Alabama. He led the team to a 12-2 record in 2023, where they won the Fiesta Bowl over Liberty. Nix was the 2023 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year.

In this High School Spotlight, FOX 12 goes to the softball diamond in Vancouver where one of the best hitters and hurlers in the region at Skyview High School.

Taliese spent four seasons in Corvallis, and is the highest drafted Beaver since Terry Baker, who went first overall to the Los Angeles Rams in 1963. Taliese is also the first Beaver first-rounder since Brandin Cooks in 2014. The Tacoma native was a first-team All-American for the 2023 college football season.

A trio of Washington Huskies were also selected on Friday night. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went to the Atlanta Falcons with the eight pick, followed immediately by his former teammate, wide receiver Rome Odunze to the Chicago Bears. Offensive lineman Troy Fautanu went to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 20th pick.

The Seattle Seahawks selected Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Byron Murphy II 16th overall. USC quarterback Caleb Williams was the top pick.

The draft continues Friday with the second and third rounds, and concludes Saturday with rounds four through seven. Multiple local products are expected to hear their name called.

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