Travis Jones waited longer than expected to hear his name called on the second night of the NFL Draft.

He didn't mind.

The Baltimore Ravens selected the former UConn defensive lineman in the third round Friday and 76th overall.

"I really wasn't even worried about it," said Jones in an interview posted on the Ravens' Twitter account. "I'm happy that I got picked up by the right team and the right fit right now."

Jones, who's from New Haven, attended Wilbur Cross High School. He's the first NFL draft choice from that school.

It was an emotional night for Jones, who said his mother started crying when he was chosen.

"The emotion was crazy," Jones said. "Growing up always having this dream as a kid and finally having it come true, it was a big deal for me and my family."

Jones, who checks in at a powerful 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, finished last season with 47 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks for the Huskies.

He impressed scouts during the Senior Bowl earlier this year and also turned heads with a strong performance at the NFL Draft combine. All 32 NFL teams sent a representative to his Pro Day in Storrs in late March.

Scouts projected that Jones could go as early as late in the first round.

The Ravens picked Jones when given the chance in the third round. They previously drafted Georgia safety Kyle Hamilton (first round, 14th overall), Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum (first round, 25th overall) and Michigan outside linebacker David Ojabo (second round, 45th overall).

Jones is the 41st UConn football player to be taken in the NFL Draft and first since offensive lineman Matt Peart went in the third round and 99th overall by the New York Giants in 2020.

g.keefe@theday.com