HOPE – Former Hope High School Bobcat defensive standout McTelvin “Sosa” Agim was drafted into the National Football League by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the cloistered NFL Draft.

Agim was picked 95th overall in the third round of the annual pro draft April 24 in a COVID-19 aware event as player prospects, families, team owners, and coaches watched the televised proceedings under homebound circumstances.

Nicknamed “Sosa,” Agim is a native of Texarkana who resided with family in Hope where he attended Hope High School, graduating early and enrolling at the University of Arkansas, where he was a starter from his freshman year.

As a Hope Bobcat, Agim became a High School All-American and was named Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year his senior year, with an impressive 24 sacks on his resume.

At UA, Agim played the entire season his freshman year with the Hogs, the last five of the season as a starter, with 27 tackles, 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks, and was named an SEC All-Freshman team member. He played in 12 games his sophomore year, 11 as a starter, with 37 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles to his credit, according to the Denver Broncos bio.

Agim put together a stellar junior season with a team-leading 10 tackles for loss during 12 starts, with 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles; and, he led the Arkansas defense in 2019 with 8.5 tackles for loss on 39 total tackles, five quarterback sacks and one forced fumble as a senior team captain.

The Denver Post’s Kyle Newman wrote April 24 how he sees Agim fitting into the rookie roster at Denver.

“The 22-year old figures to compete for time on the back end of the Denver defensive line alongside DeMarcus Walker and Dre’Mont Jones,” Newman said.

Agim scored a 5.94 in the NFL Player Combine, putting him in the “backup/special-teamer” category as a prospect, according to the NFL Draft profile published April 24.

NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein said Agim is “a work in progress;” with developing technique and fundamentals skills who will need to beef up some more. Zierlein cited experience; an impressive showing in the East-West Shrine Bowl practices; an ability to make plays “on the other side of the line and forces fumbles;” good edge rushing skills; and, “closing quickness once he has quarterback in his sights” as some of Agim’s strengths.

Hope Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart expressed his pleasure at having a Bobcat enter the pro ranks.

“I am very happy for him,” Dr. Hart said.

Agim’s former high school principal, Bill Hoglund, said Agim was a memorable Bobcat.

“The Bobcat family is certainly happy for Sosa,” Hoglund said. “We enjoyed the time he spent at Hope High School. It looks like there will be a lot of new Denver Broncos fans in Hope.”