No Arizona Wildcats had been chosen 10 selections into the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Then two came off the board with back-to-back picks.
Defensive tackle Roy Lopez was selected by the Houston Texans at No. 195 overall. Moments later, the New York Giants grabbed UA running back Gary Brightwell at No. 196.
Lopez and Brightwell are the first Wildcats to be drafted since defensive tackle PJ Johnson went in the seventh round in 2019. No UA players were picked last year.
Lopez played one season at Arizona after spending his first four years at New Mexico State. A native of Tempe, Lopez recorded 18 tackles, including four TFLs, in five games.
Brightwell appeared in 40 games over four seasons at Arizona, mostly serving as a backup before becoming the starter in 2020. Brightwell rushed for 1,350 yards and nine touchdowns as a Wildcat, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
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We’ll have more NFL draft coverage later today.
Contact sports reporter Michael Lev at 573-4148 or mlev@tucson.com. On Twitter @michaeljlev
Michael Lev
Sports Reporter/Columnist
