April 27, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman All-America fullback Jerome Felton was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the National Football League Draft earlier today.

The 11th pick of the fifth round and the 146th overall selection in this year's draft, he was the second Southern Conference player to be selected and the second fullback taken behind LSU's Jacob Hester, a third round selection of the San Diego Chargers. Felton became the highest drafted Furman player since All-America safety John Keith was chosen in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2000. Paladin quarterback Ingle Martin was also taken in the fifth round as the 148th overall pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2006.

The 27th player in Furman history to be drafted, Felton is the fourth Paladin selected by Detroit but the first since offensive tackle Mike Shill was picked by the Lions in 1956.

Listed at 5-foot-11 and 241 pounds, Felton earned 2007 Sports Network Football Championshpi Subdivision (FCS) first team All-America honors after rushing for a team leading 705 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall. A four-year starter, the Madisonville, Tenn., native and three-time All-Southern Conference selection finished his career as the top rushing fullback (2,652 yards) in Furman history and the school's all-time leading scorer (414 points).

"This is a big day for Jerome and for Furman football,"said Paladin head coach Bobby Lamb Sunday afternoon. "He was an outstanding performer for us and certainly worked hard over his Furman career and beyond to prepare himself for this opportunity. We are certainly proud of him and all that he accomplished on the field and in the classroom and wish him the very best with the Lions."

A 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III selection, Felton recorded a 3.28 grade point average as a political science major and has completed all requirements for graduation.