University of Maine senior defensive lineman Trevor Bates, a Westbrook native, was selected Saturday by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the NFL draft – 239th overall.
Bates excelled at defensive end for the Black Bears but projects to play linebacker if he makes the Colts’ roster. Bates had private workouts with the Colts and Vikings back in March.
Maine Coach Joe Harasymiak, who was the defensive coordinator the past two seasons, said in March he received plenty of calls about Bates.
“If he gets into a camp, his character will be very hard for them to cut,” Harasymiak said. “That’s the best I’ve ever seen him look. I always get amazed by, for our level, his size and his quickness, his explosiveness.”
After the draft ended Saturday night, UMaine center Bruce Johnson signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an unrestricted free agent. Johnson won the 2015 Rimington Award as the top center in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Bates is the first Black Bear to be drafted since Kendall James was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 184th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was selected to the 2015 All-Colonial Athletic Association first team, finished his senior season second on the team with 57 tackles, and led the team in sacks with 7.5. Bates ranked third in the league in tackles for loss (14.5) and third in sacks while adding two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown.
A three-time all-conference selection, Bates was also chosen to the 2015 Division I All-New England team, as well as the ECAC Division I Football Championship Subdivision All-Star first team.
During his time at Maine, Bates played in 46 games, making 207 tackles (35 for loss), with 19 sacks, three interceptions, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine pass breakups.
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