April 28, 2008 - Although Hillsdale College senior Mark Nicolet was not selected in this weekend's NFL Draft, he will get his opportunity to make a professional football roster.

Nicolet signed late Sunday with the Detroit Lions, and will be invited to compete in the team's rookie camp.

Nicolet said the Lions first contacted him shortly before the draft ended Sunday night, then followed up with another call around 30 minutes after the draft ended to confirm his signing and subsequent attendance at the team's rookie mini-camp.

"I'm excited most about the opportunity, a chance to continue playing the game I love," Nicolet said.

Nicolet is scheduled to head for Detroit this Thursday, May 1, and will spend the weekend with the team for meetings and practices with the other rookies.

Nicolet is scheduled to graduate from Hillsdale College May 12, and leaves as one of the best quarterbacks in the 117-year history of football at the college.

In 2007, Nicolet was named GLIAC Player of the Year and broke seven school records en route to leading the Chargers to an 8-3 record. Nicolet threw 31 touchdown passes, threw for 3,335 yards and completed 240 passes, all single-season school records. He threw five touchdown passes in a game three different times, and made three touchdown throws in the Cactus Bowl, the Division II All-Star Game. His performance in the Cactus Bowl nabbed him Offensive MVP accolades.

He was named Second-Team All-American by D2football.com, and by the American Football Coaches Association. He was named Daktronics First-Team All-Region in 2007 as well. Nicolet was a semifinalist for the Draddy Award, which goes to the most outstanding college football student-athlete in the country, which includes all classes of college football programs.

Nicolet also received the GLIAC Commissiner's Award in the fall, and received the Jack McAvoy Award, which goes to the most outstanding student-athlete in the conference.