Michigan's Rashan Gary picked number 12 by Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wisc. (AP/WJBK) - Michigan's Rashan Gary goes 12th in the 2019 NFL draft, after being picked by the Green Bay Packers.

Gary elected to skip his senior season at Michigan to achieve his goal of playing the NFL. He was rewarded by being selected in the first round by the Packers. Gary was so happy to have been picked, he was crying during the Packers selection.

Gary was a second-team preseason All-American and was projected to be a first-round NFL draft pick.

The junior had 44 tackles, including seven for losses, and 3½ sacks this past year in nine games. He missed three games this season with a shoulder injury and appeared to be limited in other games because of the injury.

Gary had five tackles in a 62-39 loss to No. 6 Ohio State, a setback that kept Michigan out of the Big Ten championship game and College Football Playoff contention.

Gary took the unusual move of forming his own sports agency while still with the Wolverines, proudly serving as founder and CEO. He explained in January that it fulfilled a vision he had as a high school star. Gary, who is from Plainfield, New Jersey, signed with Michigan as the top-rated high school player in the country.

He broke down in tears of joy at home as he learned he was headed to Green Bay. He is expected start out at outside linebacker in Green Bay and move around in defensive coordinator Mike Pettine's scheme.

He was an All-Big Ten player as a sophomore when he had 66 tackles, including 12 for losses and six sacks. Gary, who is from Plainfield, New Jersey, signed with the Wolverines as the top-rated high school player in the country.

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