Legend, Wyoming product Muma drafted by Jaguars

Chad Muma became the first Legend High School player to be selected in the NFL draft when the Jaguars chose the Wyoming inside linebacker in Friday’s third round.

Jacksonville’s pick of Muma at No. 70 overall wasn’t a big surprise, seeing as Muma had a second- or third-round grade entering the draft and that the Jaguars were one of three teams that he had visits with.

Muma also visited with the Panthers and the Broncos.

“Going into tonight talking with my agent, we expected mid-third round,” Muma said. “You see the picks going by, and you’re thinking, ‘Okay when’s it going to be my opportunity?’ Also, it’s that external motivation piece of, ‘ Okay they picked him (instead),’ and there’s another reason why I should’ve gone sooner and I’m going to prove it to them now. I think that’s kind of another motivation going forward now.”

Under-recruited out of Legend, Muma established himself as a defensive force in Laramie, where he earned first-team All-mountain West honors in 2020 and ’21. Last year, he was a finalist for the Butkus Award for college football’s best linebacker. He boosted his draft stock with impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine.

“I feel like I’ve proved myself to be one of those green-dot type of players (who can relay defensive play calls),” Muma said. “My film showcases what I do best.”

A heady player who can wrap up ballcarriers in open space, Muma was Wyoming’s leading tackler in 2020 and had 142 total tackles last season, the fourthbest single-season tally in Cowboys history. He also had two pick-sixes, and pairs his tackling ability and ball skills with the ability to make dynamic plays in open space.

The Jaguars traded up in the first round to select Utah inside linebacker Devin Lloyd at No. 27 overall on Thursday, leading Muma to wonder if Jacksonville would come back around to him when they came up again in the third round.

“Seeing him go off in the first round, I was thinking, ‘Okay, they got their linebacker,'” Muma said. “That’s kind of why I wasn’t expecting Jacksonville (when they called).”