Cornerback Brandon Hogan became the first player from the West Virginia Mountaineers to be selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, going to the Carolina Panthers with the first pick in the fourth round. The athletic Hogan has the talent to contribute in the NFL, but he has had injury issues and several legal problems, getting arrested for DUI and for driving with a suspended license. He'll need to stay out of trouble to be a success, but if he does, he'll give the Panthers great value in the fourth round.
Other Mountaineers who could be drafted later include safety Robert Sands and running back Noel Devine. Other local players who have already been drafted include Pitt's Jon Baldwin (first round) and Jabaal Sheard (second round) and Penn State center Stefen Wisniewski. In the late rounds, watch for Pitt DE Greg Romeus, FB Henry Hynoski and RB Dion Lewis to potentially be selected.