Kevin Lytle

kevinlytle@coloradoan.com

Versatility is valued at any level of football, and it helped Cory James reach the NFL on Saturday.

The former CSU linebacker was picked with the 19th selection in the sixth round (194 overall) by the Oakland Raiders in the NFL draft.

“It was surreal, man. I’m so happy, so blessed; God really blessed me," James said. "I’m so happy. I’m still at a loss for words right now, but I’m just so happy right now man.”

James finished fourth on Colorado State University's career sacks list with 24 and played inside and outside during his time at in Fort Collins.

"He has played a lot of positions. We'll see. For the beginning, we'll let him play off the ball and see if he can play weakside linebacker, teach him both inside linebacker spots and nickel," Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said in a press conference with Raiders media. "But he's definitely going to have to try to make his money on special teams. He has a lot of versatility because he's so athletic. He can run. He really loves playing football, and you can really see that in his play."

His selection came after wide receiver Rashard Higgins was picked in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.

It's the third year in a row two CSU players have been taken in the NFL draft. Last year offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo (second round to Denver) and quarterback Garrett Grayson (third round to New Orleans) were picked. In 2014, center Weston Richburg (second round to New York Giants) and tight end Crockett Gillmore (third round to Baltimore) were selected.

Former CSU star Rashard Higgins drafted in fifth round

Elliott to Seattle — DeAndre Elliott was the only CSU player other than Higgins invited to the NFL combine, and Saturday afternoon he signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after going undrafted. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound cornerback from Dallas finished his college career with seven interceptions.

Poudre grad to Tennessee — Former CSU offensive lineman Sam Carlson tweeted Saturday afternoon that he is signing as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans. The 6-foot-4, 301-pound tackle from Wellington and former Poudre High School standout was a two-year starter at CSU.

Cartwright to Tampa Bay — Former CSU tight end Kivon Cartwright signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to CSU. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound tight end from Pueblo was an All-Mountain West selection in 2016 and finished his CSU career with 1,136 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Other Colorado schools undrafted — While CSU had two players drafted for the third year in a row, no other school in Colorado had a player selected.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle.

Six CSU football games chosen for national broadcasts