Ashland University Tight End Adam Shaheen Drafted by Chicago Bears: 2nd round – 45th overall pick

Adam Shaheen is trading in the purple and gold of Ashland University for the dark navy blue and orange of the Chicago Bears.

On Friday (April 28) night in the second round of the 2017 National Football League Draft, Shaheen was chosen by the Bears with the No. 45 overall pick. By a margin of five rounds, he becomes the earliest Eagle chosen in the NFL Draft.

A 6-foot-6, 277-pound tight end, Shaheen caught a school-record and NCAA Division II single-season tight end-record 16 touchdown passes as a junior in 2016, and grabbed a school tight end-record 70 passes as a sophomore in 2015.

After starting just two seasons for the Eagles, Shaheen is No. 5 all-time in program history with 129 career catches, No. 10 in career receiving yards with 1,755 and was two receiving touchdowns away from the school's all-time record in that category.

Shaheen is joined on the Bears tight end depth chart by veteran Zach Miller (47 catches in 2016), Dion Sims (26 catches with Miami in 2016) and four others.

Eight former Eagles have played in NFL regular-season games, with former Ashland All-American defensive lineman Jamie Meder currently starting for the Cleveland Browns. Three previous Ashland football players – defensive tackle Jeris Pendleton (seventh round, 2012, Jacksonville), linebacker Bill Overmyer (14th round, 1972, Philadelphia) and linebacker Len Pettigrew (ninth round, 1971, Philadelphia) – were chosen in the NFL Draft.