Ra'Shede Hageman had to wait through the entire first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday after attending the draft in New York's Radio City Music Hall.
The big University of Minnesota defensive tackle didn't have to wait long Friday.
Hageman was selected with fifth pick in the second round, going No. 37 overall to the Atlanta Falcons. A local product from Minneapolis Washburn High School, Hageman was considered a potential late first or early second round pick and was one of the best defensive tackles in the draft.
Hageman (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) had 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and two sacks last season for the Gophers, being name the team's MVP and a first-team, All-Big Ten pick.
The third defensive tackle taken in this year's draft, Hageman joins an Atlanta team looking to retool the defensive line in its 3-4 defense. The Falcons could be returning only one starter, Jonathan Babineaux, on its defensive line next season. Atlanta allowed the fifth-most yards in the NFL last season and the second-most rushing yards.
The big, athletic Hageman should help those numbers. Hageman originally arrived on the Minnesota campus as a highly recruited tight end before making the switch to defensive line. Hageman showed flashes of dominance the past two seasons with the Gophers and was tied for third among all defensive linemen in the bench press with 32 repetitions at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"I could not be more proud of Ra'Shede, as he has worked tremendously hard to get to this point," Gophers head coach Jerry Kill said in a statement. "It is a special moment that he will never forget, and I am glad that his parents, his high school coach Giovan Jenkins and Rebecca and I were here to see it. This is not only a great moment for him, but also for our program, the University and the state of Minnesota.
"The Atlanta Falcons are not only getting a relentless football player, but also a college graduate. Atlanta is a great fit for Ra’Shede and his best years are still to come. I know he will continue to work hard every day to represent the Falcons, but also the Gophers, as he pursues his NFL dream."
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