Jamaica's Laken Tomlinson of Duke University who was drafted by the Detroit Lions for the NFL in September 2015
Jamaican Offensive Lineman Laken Tomlinson was a first round pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night in Chicago.
The Duke University medical student was picked 28th by the Detroit Lions who needed to shore up their offensive line especially for their run game.
Tomlinson migrated from Jamaica to the USA when he was 11 years old.
"It means everything to my family and everyone in Jamaica," Tomlinson said. "I was speechless. I didn't expect to be drafted in the first round."
Detroit Lions traded down five places to get the left guard they coveted, and Tomlinson is expected to start immediately at left guard.
He graduated in December with a dual degree in evolutionary anthropology and psychology.
Detroit was also team to another Jamaican player, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who played four years for the Lions before joining the Miami Dolphins in a mega deal during the off season.
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