A.J. Haulcy’s decision to finish his college career at LSU paid off in a big way.
The LSU safety was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round (78th overall pick) in the NFL Draft on Friday evening.
The 6-foot, 222-pound Haulcy earned first-team All-America honors this past season for the Tigers, after he finished second on the team in total tackles (88), and had a team-high three interceptions.
The Texas native began his career playing at New Mexico before transferring to Houston where he played for two seasons, including earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2024. For his collegiate career, Haulcy appeared in 48 games (44 starts) and recorded 347 career tackles (203 solo), 10 interceptions, and 19 pass breakups.
Haulcy was the second LSU defensive back, and second Tiger overall, to be selected in this year’s draft. Haulcy’s teammate Mansoor Delane was selected in the first round with the No. 6 overall pick on Thursday.
Haulcy wasn’t the only Tiger to hear his name called on Friday, as wide receiver-return specialist Zavion Thomas was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round (89th overall pick).
Thomas played two seasons at Mississippi State before playing the last two at LSU. He appeared in 48 games (18 starts) in his four seasons, and accounted for 2,947 all-purpose yards with 1,755 yards coming in his two years playing in Baton Rouge.
In two seasons with the Tigers, Thomas caught 64 passes for 706 yards and 6 TDs, while adding 99 rushing yards and a TD. In 2024, he led the SEC in kickoff return yards (633) and finished No. 2 in average (26.4). He was also the only player on the LSU team to touch the ball four different ways in both 2024 and 2025 – rush, reception, punt return, and kickoff return.