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LSU’s star-studded defense produced its third draft pick on Friday, when the Atlanta Falcons picked up linebacker Duke Riley in the third round.
Riley led the Tiger defense with 93 tackles as a senior in his first year as a full-time starter after years as a special teams stalwart. Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda fell in love with the slightly undersized, yet speedy Riley, and moved him inside in his 3-4 defense. And Riley excelled with nine tackles for loss and an interception in addition to his 93 total stops (40 solos).
He should fit in right next to LSU’s Debo Jones — who had a near identical career at LSU — in the Falcons’ fast front seven.