Casa Grande graduate Elijah Qualls drafted by Philadelphia Eagles

Casa Grande graduate Elijah Qualls, who starred at defensive tackle for the University of Washington, finally heard his name called in the sixth round of the NFL draft, when the Philadelphia Eagles took him with their last pick.

The 6-foot-1, 313-pound Qualls, a Press Democrat All-Empire first-team defensive player in 2013, had 7½ sacks in college.

NFL.com compares him to the San Deigo Chargers’ Corey Liuget, who has 239 tackles and 21 tackles in a six-year career.

The website’s analysis says Qualls is an “Athletic interior defender with the play traits and ability to play three-technique or nose tackle in the right scheme.”

In addition to his work on the defensive line, Qualls played fullback and wrestled at Casa Grande, before playing three seasons at Washington.

BRONCOS TAKE ?MICHIGAN’S BUTT

Michigan’s Jake Butt, a versatile tight end who can block and run routes, was taken by Denver in the fifth round.

He was considered a potential first-round pick until he injured his right knee against Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

Butt, who will collect on an insurance policy for slipping down the draft, insists he’ll be ready for the start of the season. He had surgery Jan. 10 to repair his right ACL.

ROBINETTE GOES?UNDRAFTED

Wide receiver Jalen Robinette, who led the nation at 27.4 yards per catch, went undrafted after the Air Force told him just this week that he’d have to serve two years in the military before being allowed to play in the NFL.

Robinette, who is set to graduate from the Academy in less than a month, had prepared for the draft believing he’d be allowed to play in the NFL right away because of a U.S. Department of Defense ruling last summer.

Robinette caught just 35 passes his senior season but they covered 959 yards for an NCAA-best ?27.4-yard average, and he had six touchdown receptions.

Over his four seasons for the Falcons, he caught 120 passes for 2,697 yards and 18 touchdowns.

SEC LEADS ?IN PICKS AGAIN

The SEC led all conferences in number of draft picks for the 11th straight year.

The Southeastern Conference had 53 players selected. The run started with Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett going No. 1 overall.

Power five leagues following the SEC were the Atlantic Coast Conference (42), Pac-12 (36), Big Ten (35) and Big 12 (14).

Michigan led all schools with 11 players taken.

MISSISSIPPI’S KELLY IS ?‘MR. IRRELEVANT’

The final player selected in the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, No. 253 overall, was Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly.

The nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly has had numerous off-the-field issues in his career, plus he blew out his knee last season. And he injured his wrist during the offseason draft process.

Fellow Hall of Famer John Elway, the Broncos’ executive vice president of football operations, said fKelly personally vouched for his nephew, so Elway signed off on the selection.