CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Fordham running back Chase Edmonds was selected in the fourth-round, 134th overall, by the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday during the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Edmonds is the 10th Patriot League student-athlete drafted in the League began in 1986.
 
Edmonds is the Patriot League’s career leader in rushing yards (5,862), the fifth-best total in NCAA FCS history. His 7,374 all-purpose yards is also a Patriot League record and 10th in FCS history. Edmonds also holds the League records for touchdowns (74) and rushing touchdowns (67).
 
The four-time All-Patriot League selection and two-time All-American becomes the second Patriot League student-athlete selected in the last two seasons, joining former Bucknell offensive lineman Julien Davenport, who was selected in the fourth-round (130th overall) by the Houston Texans, last season.
 
Within the last decade, Fordham quarterback John Skelton was selected in the fifth round (155th overall), also by the Arizona Cardinals in 2010.  Lehigh offensive lineman Will Rackley was drafted in the third round (76th overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011.
 
This season was limited by injuries this year but still was named a second team All-Patriot League selection, rushed 136 times for 577 yards and five scores in seven games this fall. He also caught eleven passes for 129 yards. Despite missing four games to injury, Edmonds ranked fourth in the Patriot League in total rushing yards.
 
NFL DRAFT SELECTIONS FROM CURRENT PATRIOT LEAGUE PROGRAMS
School             Overall Draft Picks      Player, Pos., Year, Team (Rd, Pick No.)
Bucknell            8                                   Julie’n Davenport, OL, 2017, Houston Texans (4th, 130) 
Colgate             21                                 Kenny Gamble, RB, 1988, Kansas City Chiefs (10th, 251)
Fordham           19                                 Chase Edmonds, RB, 2018, Arizona Cardinals (4th, 134)
                                                               John Skelton, QB, 2010, Arizona Cardinals (5th, 155)
Georgetown      6                                    None
Holy Cross        28                                  Rob McGovern, LB, 1989, Kansas City Chiefs (10th, 255)
                                                               Gordie Lockbaum, RB, 1988, Pittsburgh Steelers (9th, 236)
                                                               Tom Kelleher, FB, 1988, Miami Dolphins (11th, 292) 
Lafayette           3                                   Chris Thatcher, OL, 1987, Cincinnati Bengals (7th, 188)
Lehigh               9                                   Will Rackley, OL, 2011, Jacksonville Jaguars (3rd, 76)
                                                               Rich Owens, DL, 1995, Washington Redskins (5th, 152)  
 
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its third decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.