The Pittsburgh Steelers take DeMarvin Leal in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft

Texas A&M’s streak of defensive linemen taken in the NFL draft continued on Friday when DeMarvin Leal was selected in the third by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The selection of Leal extended A&M’s streak of at least one defensive lineman being drafted to four consecutive years.

An Aggie defensive lineman has also now been selected in five of the last six drafts.

Bobby Brown was taken in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Rams last year. In 2020, Justin Madubuike has taken in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens. Kingsley Keke and Dayton Mack were fifth-round picks in 2019. Keke was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, while Mack was taken by the Ravens.

Myles Garrett was taken by the Cleveland Browns as the first overall selection in 2017, with Daeshon Hall being a third-round choice of the Carolina Panthers.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Leal — who opted to forgo his senior year to enter the draft — was originally projected to go in the first round in early mock drafts, but his stock seemed to decline in recent weeks.

Leal came to A&M in 2019 as a five-star rated prospect out of Converse Judson. He was the No. 2 rated recruit in the state of Texas and the No. 16 rated prospect in the nation.

He broke into A&M starting lineup midway through his freshman season and posted 38 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.5 more tackles for loss and was credited with five quarterback hurries.

The next season, Leal emerged as one of the top defenders in the A&M defense. Leal recorded 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries in just 10 games.

He had an interception against Alabama, recovered a fumble that led to the game-winning touchdown in a 41-38 victory over Florida and also forced a fumble against Tennessee.

Moving between end and tackle last season, Leal posted 58 tackles — the highest tackle total in the SEC by a defensive lineman. Leal also had 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries, two passes broken up and forced a fumble.