KALAMAZOO — Western Michigan football player Willie Beavers became the first Bronco to be an NFL Draft pick since 2012 when he was drafted in the fourth round by the Minnesota Vikings.

This caps a high-profile offseason for Beavers who was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Combine over the last couple months.

Willie was a four-year player for the Broncos from 2012-2015.  He was named 2015 All-MAC First-Team after starting every game at left tackle. Beavers led Western Michigan to 204.6 yards rushing per game, second best total in the MAC and 29th best in the country, capping with the program’s first bowl win.

He led the best turnaround in college football in 2014, as the Broncos went from one win in 2013 to eight in 2014. Beavers paved the way for freshman running back Jarvion Franklin to rush for over 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns as the Broncos earned a berth in the Idaho Potato Bowl.

Beavers is the highest Western Michigan player to go in the draft since Louis Delmas went in the second round in 2009 to the Lions.