Herzlich Drafted By UFL's Omaha Nighthawks
BOSTON (CBS) - Boston College's Mark Herzlich was not drafted during the 2011 NFL Draft, but the cancer survivor has a fall back if there is no NFL season this year.
Herzlich was drafted in the 10th round of Monday night's United Football League draft by the Omaha Nighthawks. It is unclear if Herzlich will sign a contract with the team, leaving the door open for an NFL team to pick him up if/when the labor situation is solved.
Read: 2011 New England Patriots Draft Class
Herzlich missed the 2009 season for Boston College after being diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He underwent treatment and returned to play all 13 games in 2010 for the Eagles. He was third on the team with 65 tackles to go along with two forced fumbles and four interceptions.
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Herzlich finished his career at Boston College with 314 tackles, 10 interceptions and two touchdowns. He was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and in 2010 won the Rudy Award and ACC's Brian Piccolo Award (along with NC State's Nate Irving) as "the most courageous football players in the ACC."
Herlizch was unable to sign with an NFL team after going undrafted because the lockout was reinstated. If he were to sign with the Nighthawks, Herzlich would be committed for the entire UFL season and would not be able to sign with an NFL team.
