University of Missouri football standout Kony Ealy (New Madrid, Mo.) was selected tonight in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, who took the defensive lineman with the 28th pick of the round (60th overall pick in the draft).

Ealy is the latest in a proud lineage of Tiger defensive linemen to be taken in the NFL Draft in recent years, joining Sheldon Richardson (2013 1st round pick by the New York Jets), Aldon Smith (2011 1st round pick by the San Francisco 49ers), Ziggy Hood (2009 1st round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers) as high-round picks.

Mizzou’s most recent second round pick prior to Ealy’s selection was in 2009 when former safety William Moore was taken with the 55th overall selection by the Atlanta Falcons. Ealy also goes down as the second Tiger to ever be picked by Carolina, joining Atiyyah Ellison, who was drafted by the Panthers with the 25th pick in the third round (89th overall) of the 2005 draft.

Ealy had a breakout junior season for Mizzou in 2013, as he earned 1st-Team All-SEC honors while he helped lead the Tigers to a 12-2 season and SEC Eastern Division and Cotton Bowl championships.  Ealy registered 43 tackles in 14 games (starting all 14) and was among league leaders in both tackles for loss (14.5) and quarterback sacks (9.5).  He also led the Tiger defense in quarterback pressures (14) and forced fumbles (3), including one in the SEC Championship Game against Auburn that was returned by teammate E.J. Gaines for a touchdown.  He also broke up six passes on the year (second on the team), and returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown in a road win at Indiana.

Ealy marks the 24th player to be drafted at Mizzou under Head Coach Gary Pinkel (2002-present).  He is the eighth player under Pinkel to be taken in the first two rounds.  That updated list now includes:

— MU Sports Information —