CINCINNATI — Devon Still was a little surprised to be one of two players left in the green room at Radio Music City Hall late in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night, and he was even more surprised when his name finally was called.

“I only met with the Bengals at the Combine and we really haven’t kept in contact since then, that’s why I was so surprised when they selected me,” said Still, a 6-foot, 307-pound defensive tackle from Penn State whom Cincinnati drafted with the 21st pick of the second round (53rd overall).

“I expected to be an early-on draft pick,” Still added. “But whether I got picked early or I got picked as the last pick of the draft, it’s a great opportunity to play in the NFL and I’m just trying to take this challenge head on.”

In the third round the Bengals added Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu with the 20th pick (83rd) and Clemson defensive tackle Brandon Thompson with the 30th (93rd), which they received from New England on Thursday when Cincinnati traded down from 21st to 27th.

Still was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, registering 55 tackles, including 17 for loss, and a 4.5 sacks, and he comes from a family with an NFL pedigree.

His cousin Art Still was a four-time Pro Bowler who played 12 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, and cousin Levon Kirkland made two Pro Bowls in an 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.

“I have a bloodline of players being in the NFL, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help my family keep going,” said Still, who added that he grew up a Steelers fan.

The Bengals expect Still to contribute to their rotation on the defensive line immediately.

The Sanu pick marked a dramatic twist of irony after a prankster called him on Thursday, claiming to be with the Bengals and saying they were drafting him, setting off a massive celebration at his home in New Jersey. Then the family saw Kevin Zeitler’s name on the television screen and realized they had been duped.

“It was a terrible experience I wouldn’t wish upon anyone,” Sanu said.

When asked for his reaction after actually being drafted, the 6-2, 211-pound Sanu said “Thank god.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jay.morrison@coxinc.com.