Jake Rodgers is one step closer to playing football on Sundays.

The Eagles All-American offensive tackle was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 225 pick of this past weekends NFL draft.

“He is from an offense that is really a good pass protection team, they throw it like crazy,” said Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. “He’s long and we can’t wait to get started with him.”

Rodgers is a graduate of Spokane’s Shadle Park High School and transferred to Eastern after initially attending Washington State University. He stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 320 pounds

He is the first Eagle to be drafted since 2012 and the first offensive lineman to be drafted since Michael Roos in 2005.

Rodgers played right tackle but Quinn said he expects him to be a swing tackle for the team, playing on both the left and right side.

Rodgers was the only player to be drafted from the Big Sky conference this year after the conference had two players selected last year.

Eastern’s Tevin McDonald was not selected but signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders. Also on the Raiders is former Eagle Taiwan Jones, who played defensive back at Eastern but is now a running back for the silver and black.
McDonald’s father Tim was a 6-time all-pro and currently a coach for the Buffalo Bills and his brother T.J. McDonald plays strong safety for the St. Louis Rams.