Jerel Worthy didn't have a very happy birthday when he wasn't selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft on Thursday.
He had to wait, but Worthy was rewarded by heading to a successful team when the Green Bay Packers traded up to draft him with the No. 51 overall pick in the second round.
Green Bay traded up from 59 to 51 to draft DT Jerel Worthy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2012
Packers REALLY like Worthy...strongly considered him in the first round #NFLDraft
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 28, 2012
The 6-2, 305-pound Worthy was a first-team All-Big Ten and a first-team All-American following his junior campaign. He finished the season with 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Worthy showed a great jump on the ball, although he frequently was caught offsides. He's a physical specimen with a lot of upside. His drive has been questioned, but being selected in the second round surely will motivate him, as he expressed on Twitter.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Bill Polian said Worthy would have been better off staying in school, but with his parents dealing with health issues, it was understandable why Worthy wanted to go pro as soon as he could.
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