Michael Sam second only to Johnny Manziel in NFL rookie jersey sales

ST. LOUIS, May 12 (UPI) -- Michael Sam may have come 249th overall in the NFL draft, but he's already a huge hit with fans.

OutSports reported Monday that rookie jersey sales for the former University of Missouri defensive end, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams on Saturday, are second only to sales for Johnny Manziel jerseys.

"This is unprecedented for a Day 3 pick, let alone a seventh round pick, to crack the top five rookies sold following Draft weekend," NFL rep Joanna Hunter told OutSports.

CBS Chicago reporter Dan Bernstein reported shortly after the draft that the NFL was "scrambling" to fill orders for Sam jerseys.

Per source w/#NFL merchandising: Avalanche of Rams "Sam" jersey orders has them scrambling. Calls quantity "ridiculous." @YouCanPlayTeam

— Dan Bernstein (@dan_bernstein) May 11, 2014

"We think this is a sign of what we've been saying all along, that Michael's inclusion in the NFL is bringing fans into the game who weren't previously consumers of the NFL game," Sam's agent, Cameron Weiss, told ESPN.