Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton picked in 2nd round by San Diego Chargers

Last year, Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren expected to be a second-round selection in the NFL Draft and was never chosen. This time around, scouts considered Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton a late-round wildcard.

The San Diego Chargers made him their second-round pick Friday night.

Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton (8) was a second-round choice of the San Diego Chargers in Saturday's NFL Draft.

AnnArbor.com file photo

Mouton, the 61st overall selection, was the only starting member of the Wolverines' defense to graduate, and many prognosticators believed his draft status would be hurt by the team's overall poor defensive performance in 2010.

He had a career-best 117 tackles last season, including a career-high 14 against Illinois.

Mouton's not the only Big Ten player joining the Chargers. The team selected Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget in the first round.

"We're looking for football players," said Jimmy Raye, the Chargers' director of player personnel told The San Diego Union-Tribune. "He's a tough guy. He has an edge to him."

Mouton was Michigan's first player picked in the 2011 draft. He's the first Wolverines linebacker to be drafted since Shawn Crable in 2008. Michigan has had at least one player drafted every year since 1961.

Pete Bigelow covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.