Taylor Mehlhaff of Aberdeen and the University of Wisconsin became the first kicker selected iin this year's National Football League draft.

Mehlhaff was taken by the New Orleans Saints with the 12th pick in the sixth round of the seven-round draft.

Mehlhaff, 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, made 50 of 65 field goals for the Badgers. He was 21-for-24 his senior season.

He is the first South Dakotan or South Dakota collegiate player taken in this year's draft, which concludes today.

The Saints, who selected Mehlhaff, are the same team for whom Hawarden, Iowa, and Sioux Falls College football standout played as a punter in the 1980 and '90s.

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