DETROIT — Christian Haynes, UConn Football’s standout offensive lineman, was selected 81st overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday evening.
The 24-year-old from Bowie, Md. started 49 consecutive games on the offensive line for the Huskies during his four seasons at Connecticut. In the process, the 6-foot-2, 313-pound guard was named an Associated Press Third Team All-American in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, Haynes was also named as a Third Team All-American by the College Football Network, and in 2022, he was named a Second Team All-American by Sporting News. Haynes is just the third UConn Football player to earn All-American honors, joining tailbacks Donlad Brown (2008) and Jordan Todman (2010).
The guard is the first UConn Football player ever to be named an All-American in two separate seasons.
Haynes is the 14th Husky in program history to be selected in the first three rounds of the draft, according to the UConn Division of Athletics, which noted he is the first UConn Football player to be drafted that high since defensive tackle Travis Jones was taken by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round in 2022.
Seattle’s selection of Haynes makes him the 44th UConn Football player to be drafted to the NFL and the 30th Husky taken off the board since the program joined the FBS in 2002.
Following last season, Haynes was chosen to play in the Reese’s 75th Anniversary Senior Bowl, and he participated in the 2024 NFL Combine.
In 2023, Haynes was the primary piece of a UConn offensive line that allowed only 12 sacks on the season – one per game – ranking ninth best in the FBS.
According to the UConn Division of Athletics, Haynes is the eighth offensive lineman in UConn Football history to be drafted into the NFL. He is the first Husky offensive lineman drafted since Matt Peart was selected by the New York Giants in the 2020 draft.
Haynes was a four-year starter for UConn, beginning his time with the team in 2019. UConn did not have a season in 2020, and Haynes played as a redshirt senior in 2023.
By drafting Haynes, the Seahawks fill a hole at the guard position, according to the Seattle Times, meaning the NFL rookie will have an opportunity to play immediately at the highest level.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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