GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines' Marc Schiechl has signed a free agent contract with the National Football League's (NFL) Jacksonville Jaguars.
A 6'3", 260-lb. defensive lineman from Lakewood, Colo. (Bear Creek High School), Schiechl finished as the runner-up for the 2010 Gene Upshaw NCAA Division II Lineman of the Year Award. Schiechl became the all-time NCAA Division II career leader in sacks (46.0) during the 2010 season and concluded his career at CSM ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II record book in career tackles for a loss (70.5).
Schiechl, who was named to SportsIllustrated.com's 2011 Wes Welker Watch List in mid-April and went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft (April 28-30), earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering (minor in Economics) from CSM in May of 2011.
Schiechl, who selected as the Defensive Player of the Game at the 2011 Cactus Bowl (annual NCAA Division II all-star football game), also earned First Team Don Hansen All-Super Region Three honors in 2010. Schiechl also garnered AP Little All-America, Daktronics All-America, First Team D2football.com All-America, First Team Don Hansen All-America and AFCA All-America recognition this season to become the first three-time All-American (2008, 2009, 2010) in the history of the CSM football program.
Selected as the Daktronics Super Region #3 Defensive Player of the Year and the Don Hansen National Defensive Player of the Year, Schiechl also earned Daktronics Super Region #3 First Team Defense recognition, collecting the most votes among defensive linemen. A First Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference pick (lone unanimous selection on defense) in 2010, Schiechl was also named RMAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Furthermore, Schiechl garnered First Team NFF All-Colorado accolades and was selected as the NFFCC Defensive Player of the Year.
Schiechl led the RMAC and tied for fifth in the nation in sacks (12.0) in 2010. Schiechl also finished first in the RMAC and eighth (tied) in the nation in tackles for a loss (19.0), as well as first in the RMAC and third in the nation in forced fumbles (six). Schiechl concluded the year with 66 total tackles (34 solo), five quarterback hurries and two blocked kicks.
CLICK HERE for a complete listing of former CSM football players who have been drafted by or signed free agent contracts with NFL teams.
For more information about Colorado School of Mines Athletics, please contact Sports Information Director Jeff Duggan at jduggan@mines.edu.
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