UDFA’s chase the football dream

By MIKE SMITH
When you’re chasing the dream, you use whatever kind of vehicle is available!
 
That goes for football dreams, too, so with the 2018 NFL draft now concluded, scores of college football players are taking their shots as undrafted free agents. Signing UDFAs starts . . . 

---

. . . immediately after the draft, although teams likely lay some groundwork even before that. These players help teams get through camp and exhibition games, but are they simply preseason fodder?
 
It may seem so in many cases, but it is also a chance to showcase skills that may have been overlooked or underestimated. Moreover, players with multiple offers may choose a team/situation that is better for them. 

As to whether or not they actually CAN go from UDFA to a professional career, Kent State’s James Harrison and Antonio Gates are but two examples. Harrison spent most of his long career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both reached pro-bowler status, and more than a few undrafted free agents have reached stardom (e.g. Kurt Warner)  

(CLICK HERE FOR AN IMPRESSIVE LIST

Of course, there is also a monetary element to playing professionally. Spotrac’s estimated UDFA salary for 2018 is $570,000. If a player makes at least makes the practice squad, that was $7,200 per week ($122,400 for an entire season).  The minimum salary for an active team member is $465,000.
 
Undeclared free agent lists can change, especially with some players starting with invites to early camps. But for what it’s worth, here is one list of MAC players attempting to reach the NFL through the undrafted free agent route.  This list does not include drafted players, and some players may be "visiting" a team.

AKRON ZIPS
 
BALL STATE CARDINALS
Anthony Winbush, DE, Ball State (ATLANTA)
 
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS
Ryan Hunter, OL, Bowling Green (KANSAS CITY)
Teo Redding, WR, Bowling Green (DETROIT)
 
BUFFALO BULLS
Demone Harris, DE, Buffalo (TAMPA BAY)
 
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS
Joe Ostman, DE, Central Michigan (PHILADELPHIA)
Amari Coleman, CB, Central Michigan (DETROIT)
Corey Willis, WR Central Michigan (ARIZONA)
 
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES
Sergio Bailey, WR, Eastern Michigan (TAMPA BAY)
 
KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Jon Cunningham, DT, Kent State (ATLANTA)
 
MIAMI REDHAWKS
Heath Harding, DB, Miami, (ATLANTA)
 
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES
Shane Wimann, TE, Northern Illinois (NEW ENGLAND)
 
Christian Blake, WR, Northern Illinois (ATLANTA)
OHIO BOBCATS
 
TOLEDO ROCKETS
Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, LB, Toledo (PITTSBURGH)
Trevon Mathis, CB, Toledo (MINNESOTA)
Brant Weiss, OL, Toledo (RIZONA)
Terry Swanson, RB, Toledo (HOUSTON)
Elijah Nkansah, OT, Toledo (TENNESSEE)
 
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
Jarvion Franklin, RB, Western Michigan (PITTSBURGH)
Donnie Ernsberger, TE, Western Michigan (TAMPA BAY)