Indiana University Athletics
Seven Hoosiers Quickly Find NFL Homes
5/2/2016 10:37:00 AM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The NFL welcomed seven new Hoosiers into the mix over the weekend, with three being selected in the NFL Draft and four more signing with teams as undrafted free agents.
Offensive tackle Jason Spriggs (Green Bay, second round), running back Jordan Howard (Chicago, fifth round) and quarterback Nate Sudfeld (Washington, sixth round) each had their names called in Chicago. They combined to be the first trio of Hoosiers selected together in the same draft since 2010.
Shortly after the draft ended, defensive tackle Darius Latham (Oakland), center Jake Reed (Atlanta), tight end Michael Cooper (Washington) and defensive end Zack Shaw (Tampa Bay) all came to agreements with their respective clubs.
"A big congratulations to all our Hoosiers that were drafted this week," head coach Kevin Wilson said. "Proud of you. You've been awesome teammates, awesome leaders with great futures ahead both on and off the field."
Spriggs was the first player to come off the board, going to the Packers as the No. 48 overall pick.
Green Bay actually traded up nine spots to get Spriggs, who will be able to learn from a veteran group of offensive linemen already blocking for Aaron Rodgers and company. It's worth noting, however, that the Packers have four offensive linemen entering the final year of their contracts.
Spriggs may not have to jump into the fire right away, which he said on a conference call posted by GreenBayPackers.com is "huge" for his development at the next level.
"There's no words to explain the excitement I felt," Spriggs said on the call. "I was trying not to hold any expectations as to where I was playing. I'm just happy to be part of the organization."
Howard was next to join Spriggs, going to Green Bay rival Chicago at pick No. 150. The Bears took Howard just now beginning the process of replacing the production of Pro Bowler Matt Forte, who left during free agency.
Howard follows closely in the footsteps of former Hoosier Tevin Coleman, who was selected by Atlanta in the third round of last year's draft. Indiana has now sent junior running backs to the professional ranks in back-to-back seasons.
Chicago head coach John Fox hasn't shied away from using a running back-by-committee approach in the past, which could lead to immediate playing time for Howard in his rookie season.
He'll join a running back stable in the Windy City that already features Jeremy Langford (a fourth-round pick one year ago), Ka'Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rodgers.
"I feel like I'm a grinder. I can get those tough yards," Howard said in an introductory press conference posted by the Bears. "In the NFL you don't really see those long, explosive runs like you see in college. There's a few, but not many. I feel like my game suits the NFL more than it does college."
Sudfeld was the third and final Hoosier to have his name called at the draft, going to the Redskins at pick No. 187.
Kirk Cousins has already been tabbed the starter in Washington, which also carries veteran Colt McCoy as a backup. Sudfeld will arrive to camp and immediately be able to study underneath the pair of battle-tested quarterbacks as he transitions into the professional game for head coach Jay Gruden.
"I was just thrilled" Sudfeld said of his reaction on a conference call posted by the Redskins. "I cannot wait. I don't think there could be a better situation for me with Colt and Kirk and (quarterbacks) coach (Matt) Cavanaugh and Coach Gruden. I'm so excited to be a part of the Redskins and just get to work as soon as possible."
Latham, who at the end of the draft was among ESPN Draft Guru Mel Kiper's best available players, eventually found a home with Oakland soon after the draft ended. Latham, an Indianapolis native, said before getting drafted that he was hoping his versatility would help him find a job in the NFL.
Reed went to the Falcons, meaning he'll have a chance to earn a roster spot with Atlanta alongside former teammates Coleman and fellow center Collin Rahrig.
Cooper, last year named honorable mention All-Big Ten, will follow Sudfeld to Washington. Former Hoosier standout tight end Ted Bolser was once a Redskin himself before ending his
professional career last summer.
Shaw, who was impressive at IU's Pro Day, will head south to Tampa Bay for an opportunity with the Buccaneers. Shaw spent time at Indiana as both a defensive linemen and linebacker, meaning he may end up having the versatile skillset needed to stick around on NFL rosters should he impress during camp.
The thing to keep in mind with undrafted free agents in particular is that while they may not end up making the roster they were initially signed to, they could easily wind up with another team.
That makes the offseason camps and preseason games particularly important for players like Shaw, Cooper, Reed and Latham, because as Rahrig proved last year, it's not easy to predict just when and where a team might call.
Though Indiana's current list of players to agree with or be drafted by NFL teams stands at seven, it may not be over yet. NFL teams are expected to continue to add players to their initial rosters over the next few weeks.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The NFL welcomed seven new Hoosiers into the mix over the weekend, with three being selected in the NFL Draft and four more signing with teams as undrafted free agents.
Offensive tackle Jason Spriggs (Green Bay, second round), running back Jordan Howard (Chicago, fifth round) and quarterback Nate Sudfeld (Washington, sixth round) each had their names called in Chicago. They combined to be the first trio of Hoosiers selected together in the same draft since 2010.
Shortly after the draft ended, defensive tackle Darius Latham (Oakland), center Jake Reed (Atlanta), tight end Michael Cooper (Washington) and defensive end Zack Shaw (Tampa Bay) all came to agreements with their respective clubs.
"A big congratulations to all our Hoosiers that were drafted this week," head coach Kevin Wilson said. "Proud of you. You've been awesome teammates, awesome leaders with great futures ahead both on and off the field."
Spriggs was the first player to come off the board, going to the Packers as the No. 48 overall pick.
Green Bay actually traded up nine spots to get Spriggs, who will be able to learn from a veteran group of offensive linemen already blocking for Aaron Rodgers and company. It's worth noting, however, that the Packers have four offensive linemen entering the final year of their contracts.
Spriggs may not have to jump into the fire right away, which he said on a conference call posted by GreenBayPackers.com is "huge" for his development at the next level.
"There's no words to explain the excitement I felt," Spriggs said on the call. "I was trying not to hold any expectations as to where I was playing. I'm just happy to be part of the organization."
Howard was next to join Spriggs, going to Green Bay rival Chicago at pick No. 150. The Bears took Howard just now beginning the process of replacing the production of Pro Bowler Matt Forte, who left during free agency.
Howard follows closely in the footsteps of former Hoosier Tevin Coleman, who was selected by Atlanta in the third round of last year's draft. Indiana has now sent junior running backs to the professional ranks in back-to-back seasons.
Chicago head coach John Fox hasn't shied away from using a running back-by-committee approach in the past, which could lead to immediate playing time for Howard in his rookie season.
He'll join a running back stable in the Windy City that already features Jeremy Langford (a fourth-round pick one year ago), Ka'Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rodgers.
"I feel like I'm a grinder. I can get those tough yards," Howard said in an introductory press conference posted by the Bears. "In the NFL you don't really see those long, explosive runs like you see in college. There's a few, but not many. I feel like my game suits the NFL more than it does college."
Sudfeld was the third and final Hoosier to have his name called at the draft, going to the Redskins at pick No. 187.
Kirk Cousins has already been tabbed the starter in Washington, which also carries veteran Colt McCoy as a backup. Sudfeld will arrive to camp and immediately be able to study underneath the pair of battle-tested quarterbacks as he transitions into the professional game for head coach Jay Gruden.
"I was just thrilled" Sudfeld said of his reaction on a conference call posted by the Redskins. "I cannot wait. I don't think there could be a better situation for me with Colt and Kirk and (quarterbacks) coach (Matt) Cavanaugh and Coach Gruden. I'm so excited to be a part of the Redskins and just get to work as soon as possible."
Latham, who at the end of the draft was among ESPN Draft Guru Mel Kiper's best available players, eventually found a home with Oakland soon after the draft ended. Latham, an Indianapolis native, said before getting drafted that he was hoping his versatility would help him find a job in the NFL.
Reed went to the Falcons, meaning he'll have a chance to earn a roster spot with Atlanta alongside former teammates Coleman and fellow center Collin Rahrig.
Cooper, last year named honorable mention All-Big Ten, will follow Sudfeld to Washington. Former Hoosier standout tight end Ted Bolser was once a Redskin himself before ending his
professional career last summer.
Shaw, who was impressive at IU's Pro Day, will head south to Tampa Bay for an opportunity with the Buccaneers. Shaw spent time at Indiana as both a defensive linemen and linebacker, meaning he may end up having the versatile skillset needed to stick around on NFL rosters should he impress during camp.
The thing to keep in mind with undrafted free agents in particular is that while they may not end up making the roster they were initially signed to, they could easily wind up with another team.
That makes the offseason camps and preseason games particularly important for players like Shaw, Cooper, Reed and Latham, because as Rahrig proved last year, it's not easy to predict just when and where a team might call.
Though Indiana's current list of players to agree with or be drafted by NFL teams stands at seven, it may not be over yet. NFL teams are expected to continue to add players to their initial rosters over the next few weeks.
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