Vandals send three to the NFL

IT HAS BEEN DECADES SINCE IDAHO LAST HAD THREE PLAYERS DRAFTED by the NFL in a single draft. But this weekend three Vandals heard their names called, led by safety SHILOH KEO in the 5th-round (144th pick) to the Houston Texans, quarterback Nathan Enderle also in the 5th round (160th pick) to the Chicago Bears, and tightend Daniel Hardy in the 7th round (238th pick) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Read more on Idaho's draft picks:

LINK: The Daily Herald on Keo to the Texans

LINK: North Platte Telegraph on Enderle to the Bears

LINK: Anchorage Daily News on Hardy to Tampa Bay

LINK: Idaho Statesman: Three Vandals selected in NFL Draft

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The following is an official press release from the University of Idaho Media Relations Department.

Saturday was a special day for three University of Idaho Vandals as the National Football League wrapped up its 2011 draft.

Quarterback Nathan Enderle, safety Shiloh Keo and tight end Daniel Hardy – originally a walkon - all found homes in the NFL.

Keo, from Everett, Wash., was the highest selection, going in the fifth round as the 144th overall selection to the Houston Texans. Enderle joined him as a fifth-round selection going as the 160th overall to the Chicago Bears and Hardy went in the seventh round as the 238th overall choice to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The three had notable careers as Vandals in helping Idaho to the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl Championship during a highlight-reel season. It’s fitting, then, that they tied for third as the class with the most Vandals drafted in school history. The most recent year with more than two drafted was 1972 when Fred Riley, Andy Kupp and Ron Linehan were drafted. The record year was 1958 when Jerry Kramer, Wayne Walker, Larry Aldrich, Wade Patterson and Alvin Johnson made their way onto professional teams.

Enderle, who was at home at North Platte, Neb., with his entire family called it an “exciting day.” He said he knew once the draft was under way who the most likely team would be to call his name and wasn’t surprised when the Bears were up and made him their choice.

Hardy, who was injured midway through the season, was almost speechless.

“It’s so hard to explain,” he said. “It’s like 100 emotions hit you at once. I could barely breathe. I’m just so humbled, thankful and blessed by God.”