Football | 10/8/2018 4:36:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. — In the history of the Minnesota State University Moorhead football program, three players have been drafted by the National Football League.

The first ever Dragon player drafted by the NFL was offensive lineman Dennis Yell, pictured right (75).  A native of Parkers Prairie, Minn.,  was drafted in the 16th round by the NFL's Los Angeles Rams in 1968 as an offensive tackle.

Defensive end LeRoy Spears was drafted in the 14th round of the 1971 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.

Mark Reed was the last Dragon football player drafted by an NFL team — he was drafted as a quarterback by the New York Giants in the eighth round of the 1981 draft.  Reed actually appeared in one game for the then-Baltimore Colts in 1983, completing 6-of-10 passes for 34 yards.

Several prominent Dragon players have signed free agent contracts with NFL teams— among those — WR Damon Gibson (2017, Packers); LB Brian Dahl (1992, Vikings); RB Troy Hendricks (Seahawks, 1986); RB Randy Sullivan (Falcons, 1985); RB Jerry Allen (Chiefs, 1983); WR Michael Howard (Vikings, 1983); TE Gregg Veldman (Cowboys, 1983); FS Al Strandberg (Cowboys, 1982); QB Marc Trestman (Vikings, 1980); TE Jeff Tesch (Falcons, 1978); QB Ed Schultz (Jets, 1978)

Several Dragons have signed or were drafted by Canadian Football League teams, and one player — Strandberg — signed with Arizona of the USFL.