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NASHVILLE – Former University of Illinois offensive lineman Nick Allegretti was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft on Saturday in Nashville. Allegretti was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 216^th overall pick.

Allegretti is the sixth Illini drafted in Kansas City Chiefs history and the first since Jeff Allen in 2012. Allen, also an offensive lineman, helped the Chiefs to the AFC Championship game in 2019.

Allegretti was a two-time captain and finished his football career with 36 consecutive starts while playing nearly every snap on the o-line over the last three seasons. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Allegretti was graded as the third-best offensive guard in the nation in 2018 by Pro Football Focus, allowing just one QB hit and zero sacks on the season while anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for the nation's 12th-ranked rushing offense. PFF graded him as the No. 6 run-blocking guard and the No. 11 pass-blocking guard in the nation. 

Off the field, he was the team leader for all community service events throughout his career and served as Illinois' Uplifting Athletes president for the past two years, raising over $88,000 for rare disease research and treatment through the team's annual Lift for Life event. He took home the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor earlier this week and has been a candidate for many community services awards, including 2018 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award (Finalist), 2018 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year (semifinalist), 2018 Campbell Trophy (semifinalist) and 2018 Senior CLASS Award (candidate). 

Allegretti earned a Bachelor's degree in accountancy from the Gies College of Business in Dec. 2017 (3.56 cumulative GPA) and will earn a Master's degree in Recreation, Sport & Tourism in May 2019 (3.49 cumulative GPA). 

For complete Illini draft coverage, visit fightingillini.com and follow @IlliniFootball on Twitter.

Illinois NFL Draft Facts:

• Allegretti is the sixth Illinois offensive lineman drafted since 2009
                  » Nick Allegretti 2019 (Kansas City)
                  » Ted Karras 2015 (New England)
                  » Hugh Thornton 2013 (Indianapolis)
                  » Jeff Allen 2012 (Kansas City)
                  » John Asamoah 2010 (Kansas City)
                  » Xavier Fulton 2009 (Tampa Bay)

• Allegretti is the sixth Illini player drafted by the Chiefs, the first since 2012, and the fifth Illini offensive lineman.  
                  » OL Nick Allegretti (2019, 7^th round)
                  » OL Jeff Allen (2012, 2^nd round)
                  » OL Jon Asamoah (2010, 3^rd round)
                  » C Adam Lingner (1983, 9^th round)
                  » DB Willie Osley (1973, 10^th round)
                  » OL Dave Powless (1965, 15^th round)

• Illinois has had at least one player drafted in 43 of the last 47 years and has 242 all-time NFL Draft picks. | Illini Draft History

DRAFTED: Champaign ?? @Chiefs

?? @gretti_53

#Illini x #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/u37pOwK9EY

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) April 27, 2019

We have selected G Nick Allegretti with the #216 overall pick!#ChiefsKingdom | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/E8yyFukl13

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 27, 2019

The @Chiefs got a STEAL in round 7. @Gretti_53 is a BEAST on the field and an even better leader off of it. #Illini x #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/osDJ2IUF49

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) April 27, 2019

Congrats @Chiefs on gaining an incredible player and an even better man. You're very lucky to have him. Proud of you @Gretti_53! #ILL https://t.co/YU1Nr8N6f2

— Lovie Smith (@LovieSmith) April 27, 2019

Congrats to our guy ?@Gretti_53?! ?@Illinois_Alma? graduate, Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient, and now NFL draft pick. Keep climbing, my friend. You've got a big, loyal ???? family behind you every step of the way! #ILLINI pic.twitter.com/XUPgblSnTP

— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) April 27, 2019