Once the NFL Draft hits the sixth or seventh round, it can be better for prospective draftees to not be selected at all, that way they can have some say in where they end up.
And after sitting by their phones all Saturday long without a single ring, once that last pick is made, the phones of those who were not drafted come to life.
The hardest thing to watch as a mom and not being able to fix it. ? Now the phone is ringing off the hook! ??♀️ Trusting the Lord.
— Stephanie Webb (@ProfessorSWebb) April 28, 2018
Not being selected in the NFL Draft is not the end for everyone. Rather it is simply a different beginning.
Saturday evening, that beginning got started for a number of Buckeyes as undrafted free agents.
Quarterback J.T. Barrett has signed with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts’ depth chart at quarterback includes starter Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, and Brad Kaaya.
Barrett leaves Ohio State with more records than Guinness. He joins former Buckeye defensive end Tyquan Lewis in Indianapolis, as the Colts selected him in the second round.
[Update: It appears that Barrett may only be a mini-camp invite.]
J.T. Barrett, acc to Ballard, is a minicamp tryout. He has NOT been signed to a contract.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) April 29, 2018
Linebacker Chris Worley has signed with Cincinnati. The Bengals drafted linebacker Malik Jefferson in the third round. Cincinnati also drafted Worley’s former teammate Sam Hubbard, who was selected one pick before Jefferson.
Defensive tackle Tracy Sprinkle has signed with Carolina. The Panthers went into the draft needing defensive line help. They selected Ole Miss defensive end Marquis Haynes in the fourth round and Miami defensive tackle Kendrick Norton in the seventh round.
Safety Damon Webb has been reunited with former Ohio State cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs by signing with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans only had four picks in the draft, but they did use one of them (5th round) on Arizona safety Dane Cruikshank.
Tight end Marcus Baugh signed with the Oakland Raiders. The Los Angeles native will get to be much closer to home, and even closer once the Raiders move to Las Vegas in 2020.
Defensive tackle Michael Hill signed with the Detroit Lions. The Lions need help on the defensive line, which is good news for Hill. Detroit drafted Alabama defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand in the fourth round. Hand could end up inside or outside.
When you take off the scarlet & gray colored lenses…this seems about right for each of these guys. Baugh has the best chance of them all. Size and speed are huge hurdles for Webb (Canada is a good option). Athleticism and point of contact are huge hurdles for Worley (possible practice squad / special teams for a year). J.T. is 3rd All Time at OSU, in rushing attempts (kind of says it all).
I agree that Baugh has the best chance. I hope they all get a chance to continue to pursue their dreams. P.S. Interesting stat fact on JT.