NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Valdosta State senior defensive back Stephen Denmark was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL Draft Saturday, becoming the fifth Blazer to be taken in the NFL Draft in program history.
Denmark, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., joins Robert Morris (1990, 10th Round, Seattle), Antonio Edwards (1993, 8th Round, Seattle), Artie Ulmer (1997, 7th Round, Minnesota) and Edmund Kugblia (2013, 4th Round, Carolina) to be selected. Denmark was the fifth Division II player selected in the draft this year.
- ESPN commented about Denmark that "he possesses a rare blend of size, length and top-end speed. He's a developmental prospect who moved from receiver to defensive back in 2018. His potential to develop into a playmaker is intriguing."
This past season for the 14-0 and NCAA Division II National Champion Blazers, Denmark earned second team D2CCA All-Region honors, while earning second team all-conference honors this season. He had an outstanding career for the Blazers as he moved from offense as a wide receiver to defense during his VSU career. Denmark helped lead VSU to its first undefeated season in program history.
As a freshman in 2015, he caught seven balls for 97 yards and a score playing in six games. As a sophomore, he played in 11 games with 22 catches for 240 yards and two scores. He had one catch for 11 yards as a junior and then became a mainstay on the defense in 2018, where he played in all 14 games with 37 solo tackles, 18 assisted stops for 55 total tackles.
He tied for third on the team in tackles for loss with eight for 32 yards, while recording one sack for three yards. Denmark finished second on the team in interceptions with three, along with nine pass breakups, one hurry and one forced fumble.
