Picked by the Redskins, Apke is first PSU defensive player drafted
With the 109th pick, the Washington Redskins have made Troy Apke the first defensive player chosen in the 2018 NFL Draft.
From Penn State's defense, it's Troy Apke who is the first off the board. Chosen by the Washington Redskins, Apke goes in the fourth round with the 109th overall pick.
A one-year starter for the Nittany Lions, Apke's draft stock began to soar following the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February. There, Apke ran the best 40-yard dash (4.34 seconds) among safeties. He also posted the best time in the 20-yard shuttle (4.03 seconds) and was top five in the vertical jump with a leap of 41 inches and the broad jump with 10 foot, 11 inches.
Invited to the NFL PA game, Apke finished as the MVP.
As a recruit from Mt. Lebanon, Pa., Apke was considered the 12th-best prospect in Pennsylvania in the Class of 2014. He signed as a wide receiver, ranked No. 73 at the position in the country, but he was quickly converted to defensive back shortly after arriving on campus in the summer as a true freshman
