ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos have selected Georgia Tech defensive tackle Adam Gotsis with the final pick of the second round in the NFL draft.
Gotsis, 23, is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered against Virginia on Oct. 31. He said he hopes to be back on the field by August.
Gotsis played Australian Rules Football for eight years before moving to the United States at age 19.
He'll help plug a hole left by Malik Jackson's departure to Jacksonville in free agency, and he joins a stout defense that returns nine starters, 10 if you count nickel back Bradley Roby.
Gotsis said "to become part of the best defense in the last 30 years or so, it's an awesome feeling."
NFL Draft analysts were not surprised the Broncos jumped on Gotsis.
"He was one of those fast risers that everyone in the league mentioned, hoping they could steal him in the third round," ESPN analyst Mel Kiper said.
Another ESPN analyst Todd McShay had been raving about the Australian in the lead-up to the draft and said numerous NFL teams were hoping he would not be selected so they could get him in the third round.
"He is a perfect fit in their system," said McShay, describing Gotsis' potential offensive line breaking power for the Broncos.
"I know there were a bunch of teams sitting around waiting."
Gotsis said the drafting process was "crazy".
"It has been an unreal process the whole time, from the moment I got to college throughout this moment. It's been a crazy process and I am glad to be a Bronco.
"I think all the hard work is paying off.
"It is the beginning of a new chapter and I can't wait to get out there and get with the team and the culture there and become a part of the team. It is exciting stuff happening for me."
Australia's top two draft prospects yet to be selected are punter Tom Hackett (University of Utah) and kicker Brad Craddock (University of Maryland).
Other Australians hoping to be picked include punters Alex Kinal (Wake Forest), Lachlan Edwards (Sam Houston State) and Jamie Keehn (Louisiana State) and offensive lineman Blake Muir (Baylor).