Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

NFL draft: Temple cornerback Rock Ya-Sin drafted in second round by Indianapolis Colts, Former Great Valley star Nasir Adderley picked by the Chargers

Ya-Sin joins former Temple defensive back Nate Hairston in the Colts' defensive secondary.

Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (left) picks up wide receiver Ventell Bryant and throws him to the ground during Temple's Cherry and White spring football game at the Temple Sports Complex Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (left) picks up wide receiver Ventell Bryant and throws him to the ground during Temple's Cherry and White spring football game at the Temple Sports Complex Saturday, April 14, 2018.Read moreSYDNEY SCHAEFER / Staff Photographer

Temple defensive back Rock Ya-Sin was taken in the second round of the NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 34 overall pick.

Ya-Sin, who transferred to Temple for his senior year after being a standout at Presbyterian College. Ya-Sin jumped up draft boards after an impressive year with the Owls, tallying two interceptions and breaking up 12 passes.

The Georgia native also helped himself with a strong Senior Bowl, cementing himself as a top-40 pick. He joins former Temple defensive back Nate Hairston in the Colts’ secondary.

“Ya-Sin has ideal size, speed, toughness and ball skills,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah wrote earlier in the draft process. “In off-coverage, he has quick feet, and he’s very fluid when he turns and opens up. He doesn’t waste steps on his plant and drive -- he closes in a hurry. In press coverage, Ya-Sin needs to do a better job of using his hands, and he will occasionally get turned around versus shiftier wideouts.

“Fortunately, he has the speed to recover when he’s caught out of position," added Jeremiah, who projected Ya-Sin to go No. 20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. " He finds the ball in the air and gets his hands on a lot of footballs. He’s very aggressive in run support, and he’s a reliable tackler in space. Overall, Ya-Sin has the competitiveness and athleticism to develop into a quality NFL starter.”

The other local players taken on Day 2 are as follows:

Nasir Adderley

The former Great Valley star was taken by the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 60 overall pick. After starring for the Blue Hens, Adderley will have a chance to win a starting job in Los Angeles. The Philadelphia native has good bloodlines. His grandfather’s cousin is Pro Football Hall of Famer Herb Adderley.

Miles Sanders

The Penn State running back won’t have to move very far. The Eagles finally invested a high pick in a running back by taking Sanders, who replaced Saquon Barkley in Happy Valley. Sanders can develop into a key part of the Eagles offense after becoming the highest pick the Birds have used on a running back since LeSean McCoy in 2009 and the first Penn State player drafted by the Eagles since 2007.

Connor McGovern

The Penn State offensive lineman was taken by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 90 pick.He started three years on the interior of Penn State’s offensive line blocking for Giants star Saquon Barkley and new Eagles running back Miles Sanders. He’ll now play against both in the NFC East.