April 30, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. - Sione Fua, a second team All-Pac-10 selection last season at nose guard, was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.
Fua becomes the first Stanford defensive lineman to be drafted in the first three rounds since defensive tackle Willie Howard was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round in 2001.
Fua earned second team All-Pac-10 honors last season, starting all 13 games at the nose tackle position. He finished the year with 23 total tackles, including 6.0 for loss. He also had 4.5 sacks on the year, which tied for third on the squad with Thomas Keiser.
He also served as one of the team's tri-captains along with Ryan Whalen and Owen Marecic.
The NFL Draft continues on Saturday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.