DALLAS - Leighton Vander Esch will be in elite company as the 2018 NFL Draft gets underway in Dallas on Thursday.
The former Boise State star linebacker is one of just 22 players invited to the premier selection event inside AT&T Stadium.
He spoke with KTVB's Jay Tust on the red carpet before the big event Thursday evening.
Vander Esch, who announced in December that he would forego his senior season to enter the draft, is widely expected to go in the first round, which gets underway at 6 p.m. MT Thursday.
Joining the Riggins, Idaho native at the ceremony is Boise State coach Bryan Harsin and defensive coordinator Andy Avalos.
Harsis took a moment on the red carpet to talk about what makes Vander Esch such a special player.
KTVB sports director Jay Tust is there as well, bringing us live coverage - online and on air - of Vander Esch and other Broncos in the draft.
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