Cam Jurgens and Cam Taylor-Britt — Photos by Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports (left) and Nebraska Athletics

Jurgens, Taylor-Britt Go in Second Round of NFL Draft

At No. 51, the Nebraska center becomes the highest Husker draft pick in more than a decade

Author:
Joe Hudson
Updated:
May 3, 2022 11:55 AM EDT
Original:
Apr 29, 2022

In this story:

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Philadelphia Eagles

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cornhusker state is known for its one-house legislature, called the unicameral. But it was a biCameral night for Nebraska during the second round of the NFL draft Friday.

A pair of Cams - center Cam Jurgens and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt - were chosen nine picks apart from each other in Las Vegas. Jurgens went at No. 51 to the Philadelphia Eagles, and Taylor-Britt was chosen with the 60th selection by the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.

For Nebraska fans, it was a welcome chance of pace compared with recent drafts, in which the Huskers typically didn't get any takers until the third day, if at all.

Jurgens became Nebraska's highest draft pick since cornerback Prince Amukamara went in the first round in 2011.

Jurgens came to Lincoln as a highly touted athlete from Beatrice, Nebraska, ready to make his mark at tight end. But he was persuaded to switch to something entirely different -- center -- and he battled issues with injuries and errant snaps as he transitioned to his new position. By 2021, however, he became an undisputed strength on the offensive line and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors.

Taylor-Britt, an Alabama native, came to Nebraska as a three-star athlete whose focus in high school was at quarterback. He quickly found a home in Lincoln at cornerback, where he twice earned second-team All-Big Ten honors.

For Taylor-Britt, the news Friday night came via a call from another former Husker, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. Watch it unfold in the video below.

The Bengals traded up in the draft with the Buffalo Bills to snag Taylor-Britt.

The two Cams join a long list of Nebraska NFL draftees dating back to Bernie Scherer in the 1936 draft. Go here for the full list.

The 2022 draft wraps up with rounds four through seven on Saturday. Of the Husker prospects still hoping to hear their names called, nickel/linebacker JoJo Domann is considered the most likely pick. Also seen as possible draftees are tight end Austin Allen, wide receiver Samori Toure and defensive lineman Damion Daniels. Free agency is considered the more realistic outcome for defensive lineman Ben Stille, defensive backs Deontai Williams and Marquel Dismuke, and wide receiver Levi Falck.