Watch the 2016 NFL Draft online  |  Noah Spence Sights & Sounds From Indy

RICHMOND, Ky. – Several Eastern Kentucky University football players could hear their names called during the 2016 National Football League Draft that begins Thursday in Chicago.
 
The three-day draft begins with the first round on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.  Rounds two and three will be held on Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET.  The final four rounds are scheduled to get underway on Saturday at noon.  The entire 2016 NFL Draft will air live on ESPN.
 
Noah Spence is likely to be a first round selection.  Other Colonels that could hear their name called include Dy'Shawn Mobley, Ben Madon and Stanley Absanon.
 
Since 1951, 32 EKU football players have been drafted by NFL teams.  The most recent was Antwaun Molden, a third round choice by the Houston Texans in 2008.  If Spence is drafted in the first round, he will become the third Colonel to go in the opening round.  Defensive end Aaron Jones was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 18th pick in the 1988 draft.  Wally Chambers, Eastern's highest draft pick, was taken by the Chicago Bears with the eighth pick in 1973.
 
The highest drafted player in Ohio Valley Conference history is Phil Simms, the seventh pick in the 1979 draft.  The last OVC player to be taken in the first round was Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, picked 16th overall in 2008.
 
Spence has been projected as high as No. 4 in this year's draft.  He ended his junior season at EKU by being chosen as an All-American by the Associated Press, STATS, Walter Camp Foundation and College Sporting News.  He was also chosen as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Defensive Performer of the Year by College Football Performance Awards.
 
Spence announced in December that he would forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility and enter the draft.  In January, Spence had an outstanding performance at the Reese's Senior Bowl.
 
The 6-foot-3 defensive end finished the season ranked fourth nationally in tackles for a loss (2.0/game) and fifth in sacks (1.05/game).  Overall the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native had 22.5 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks, the fourth-most in EKU single-season history.
 
Mobley, a running back from Powell, Tennessee, was a Sports Network All-America selection and the OVC Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 after rushing for 1,491 yards and 20 touchdowns.  Injuries limited him to nine games and 110 carries in 2015, but he looked healthy during an impressive work out at EKU's Pro Day in March.
 
Madon, a tight end from Pineville, Kentucky, was a first team All-OVC selection this past season.  He caught 34 passes for a team-best 456 yards in 2015.  He also had three touchdown catches.  Madon's 40-yard dash time at EKU's Pro Day was better than several tight ends invited to the NFL Draft Combine in February.
 
Absanon, a defensive back from Auburndale, Florida, was a preseason All-OVC choice prior to his senior season in 2015.  He had three interceptions, seven pass break-ups and 22 tackles last year.  As a kick returner, he averaged 26.2 yards on kickoffs and 9.8 yards on punts.  Absanon returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown in the season opener against Valparaiso.  In 2014, he was chosen as the FCS Defensive Player of the Week picking off two passes in Eastern's upset victory over FBS Miami (Ohio).
 
EKU's NFL Draft Picks
2008       Antwaun Molden            CB          3rd round (79), Houston Texans
2004       Larry Turner                   C             7th round (238), St. Louis Rams
2003       Yeremiah Bell                 DB          6th round (213), Miami Dolphins
2001       Alex Bannister                WR          5th round (140), Seattle Seahawks
1999       Tyrone Hopson              OG         5th round (161), San Francisco 49ers
              Rondel Menendez           WR          7th round (247), Atlanta Falcons
1997       Tony McCombs             LB           6th Round (188), Arizona Cardinals
1996       Jason Dunn                    TE          2nd round (54), Philadelphia Eagles
1994       Chad Bratzke                  DE          5th round (155), New York Giants
1992       Tim Lester                      RB           10th round (255), Los Angeles Rams
1989       Jessie Small                     LB           2nd round (49), Philadelphia Eagles
              Elroy Harris                    RB           3rd round (71), Seattle Seahawks
              Myron Guyton               DB          8th round (218), New York Giants
              Mike Cadore                   RB           12th round (327), New Orleans Saints
1988       Aaron Jones                   DE          1st round (18), Pittsburgh Steelers
              Danny Copeland            DB          9th round (244), Cleveland Browns
              John Jackson                  OT          10th round (252), Pittsburgh Steelers
1986       Joe Mauntel                    LB           8th round (219), Los Angeles Raiders
1984       Tron Armstrong             WR          5th round (122), New York Jets
1983       Steve Bird                       WR          5th round (130), St. Louis Cardinals
1982       George Floyd                 DB          4th round (107), New York Jets
1977       Elmo Boyd                     WR          3rd round (65), San Francisco 49ers
              Roosevelt Kelly               C             9th round (244), Pittsburgh Steelers
1976       Junior Hardin                 NG         10th round (269), New Orleans Saints
1973       Wally Chambers              DE          1st round (8), Chicago Bears
1968       Aaron Marsh                  WR          3rd round (60), Boston Patriots
1957       Tom Schulte                   DE          22nd round (263), Detroit Lions
1956       John Sebest                    DE          19th round (229), Detroit Lions
1955       Don Daly                       RB           17th round (204), Detroit Lions
              Bob Mueller                    FB           19th round (228), Detroit Lions
              Karl Bays                        T             23rd round (266), Chicago Cardinals
1951     Ray Pelfrey        WR       17th round (197), Green Bay Packers