Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez Selected by New England Patriots in First Round of 2023 NFL Draft
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Dreams are coming true on Thursday night in Kansas City as the 2023 NFL Draft is finally here and players hear their names called. For Duck fans, all eyes have been on Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez following a stellar season in Eugene.
On Thursday the New England Patriots selected Gonzalez with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He's the second cornerback off the board after the Seattle Seahawks selected Devon Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick.
Gonzalez continues Oregon's streak of first-round NFL Draft picks along with Kayvon Thibodeaux (New York Giants 2022), Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions 2021) and Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers 2020). The Colony, Texas native is the highest-drafted Oregon defensive back since the Miami Dolphins drafted safety Jevon Holland with the 36th pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Gonzalez was a new face at Oregon in 2022, transferring in from Colorado and following cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin. He was a huge plug-and-play success for head coach Dan Lanning, stepping right into a role as the team's No. 1 lockdown cornerback.
During his one year at Oregon he solidified himself as the best defensive back in the Pac-12. In 2022 he started 12 games and intercepted four passes, defended 11 passes and racked up 50 total tackles, highlighted by a two-interception performance against the Colorado Buffaloes in his return to Boulder.
He took home a number of honors, including Coaches Pac-12 All-Conference first team, Associated Press All-Pac-12 Second team and Phil Steele All-Pac-12 first team.
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