Virginia sophomore outside linebacker Max Valles (Sicklerville, N.J.) was selected by the Oakland Raiders during Saturday’ssixth round of the National Football League Draft. Valles was the 179th overall pick.
Valles is the second Cavalier drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, joining Eli Harold who was taken in the third round, 79th overall, by the San Francisco 49ers.
Valles is the first Cavalier drafted by the Raiders since 1990 when Marcus Wilson was taken in the sixth round. Valles is the third overall Cavalier to be drafted by the Raiders.
Valles participated in the 2015 NFL Combine. A third-team All-ACC honoree, Valles finished the regular season No. 2 in the ACC with 9.0 sacks and No. 7 with 12.5 tackles for loss. Finished 2014 with 55 tackles and broke up eight passes at or near the line of scrimmage. Also scored a touchdown on a 35-yard interception return against Pitt. Valles was a key part of a defense that helped limit the nation’s No. 7 rusher (Pitt’s James Conner) and its No. 9 rusher (Miami’s Duke Johnson) under 100 yards rushing. UVa held Johnson to his lowest output of the season and Conner to his second-lowest rushing total.