A pair of defensive players from the UCLA Bruins have been selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Linebacker Akeem Ayers was drafted with the 39th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans, while safety Rahim Moore was picked 45th overall by the Denver Broncos. Ayers and Moore give UCLA two players picked in the top 45 picks, something no other Pac-10 Conference school can boast.
Ayers was once projected to be picked late in the first round, but was hurt by slow 40 times during workouts and the NFL combine. Ayers was second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and third-team by the AP last season. He will join former Bruins Alterraun Verner and Dave Ball in Tennessee.
Moore earned first-team All American from Sporting News and, like Ayers, was a third-team AP selection. He had 10 interceptions in 2009 for UCLA. Former Bruin receiver Matt Willis is also a Bronco.
The 2011 NFL Draft concludes on Saturday, April 30, and SB Nation has everything you need to follow the draft. Check it out at SB Nation's NFL Draft page and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking the Draft. For more UCLA Bruins football news, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Bruins Nation.