KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sacramento State nickelback Marte Mapu was selected by the New England Patriots with the 13th pick of the third round (76th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday. Mapu becomes the 12th Hornet selected in the NFL Draft and was the first Big Sky Conference player and second FCS player selected this year.

Mapu had a stellar senior season, earning All-America honors from three organizations and then stunning NFL scouts with his effort at the NFLPA and Senior Bowl all-star games. During the year, he started all 13 games for the Hornets and ranked second on the team with 76 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss. Mapu added two interceptions, had four pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and forced a fumble. The Hawthorne, Calif., native was credited with at least three tackles in all 13 games and had five or more in nine contests. He earned first team all-Big Sky Conference honors and was also named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year.

Hornet NFL Draft Notes

• Mapu is the highest selection from Sacramento State. The previous high was John Farley who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round (92nd overall) of the 1984 draft.
• Mapu is the first Hornet selected in the NFL Draft since offensive tackle Marko Cavka was selected by the New York Jets in 2004.
• Since that last selection, seven Hornets have played in NFL games. That list includes DeAndre Carter who played last season with the Los Angeles Chargers and recently signed as a free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders.

HORNETS SELECTED IN THE NFL DRAFT
1959 - Dan Chamberlain, End - Detroit Lions (25th round, 293rd pick)
1967 - Al Nicholas, FB - Atlanta Falcons (15th round, 371st)
1970 - Mike Carter,  WR - Green Bay Packers (15th round, 380th pick)
1984 - John Farley, RB - Cincinnati Bengals (4th round, 92nd pick)
1986 - Greg Robinson, OT - New England Patriots (5th round, 137th pick)
1986 - Mike Black, OT - Seattle Seahawks (9th round, 237th pick)
1987 - John Gesek, OG - Los Angeles Raiders (10th round, 265th pick)
1987 - Rob Harrison, DB - Los Angeles Raiders (10th round, 254th pick)
1993 - Jon Kirksey, DT - New Orleans Saints (8th round, 221st pick)
1997 - Daimon Shelton, FB, Jacksonville Jaguars (6th round, 184th pick)
1997 - Tony Corbin, QB - San Diego Chargers (7th round, 237th pick)
2004 - Marko Cavka, OT - New York Jets (6th round, 178th pick)
2023 - Marte Mapu - S/LB - New England Patriots (3rd round, 76th overall)