Titans take MSU OT Jack Conklin No. 8 in NFL Draft

Jack Conklin’s journey as a walk-on from Plainwell to an All-American in East Lansing has a new benchmark.

First-round draft pick.

The Tennessee Titans moved up via trade with the Cleveland Browns and selected Conklin with the No. 8 pick of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, the first Michigan State offensive lineman to be selected in the opening round since Tony Mandarich went No. 2 overall in 1989. He is the first Spartan drafted in the top 10 since Charles Rogers went No. 2 overall in 2003.

The 6-foot-6, 308-pound Conklin left MSU after his junior season, in which he earned first-team All-American honors from USA Today and Sporting News, the Spartans’ first lineman to do so since Flozell Adams in 1997. Conklin also earned second-team honors from the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America and Walter Camp Football Foundation, as well first-team All-Big Ten honors.

NFL Network Draft Analyst Mike Mayock said he sees Tennessee moving Conklin to right tackle with former Michigan Wolverine Taylor Lewan at left tackle.

"With this kid I think Lewan stays on the left," Mayock said. "Conklin goes to the right and you've got your book-end tackles for (quarterback Marcus) Mariota.

He was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Spartans as they won the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl, then made the College Football Playoff semifinals in December. He started 38 of his 39 career games.