1 Fact About Each Packers 2018 Undrafted Free Agents
With eleven draft picks and a mature roster, the challenge for an undrafted free agent to crack the Packers roster is daunting.
Brian Gutekunst is entering his first training camp as the team’s general manager, and it’s unknown whether his philosophy on undrafted free agents mirrors that of his predecessor Ted Thompson.
Regardless, the players who will be in camp this season have led rich, fascinating lives to date and have stories to tell. They’ve earned the opportunity to be in an NFL training camp.
Here’s one fact about every undrafted rookie free agent on the Packers roster.
OL Jacob Alsadek, Arizona - The 6-7 Alsadek put his long frame to good use in high school as a shot-putter, posting a personal best of 53-0 as a junior. Bonus fact: Alsadek was a pre-season contender for The Wuerffel Trophy, which is presented to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement and looks hilariously bad.
LB Parris Bennett, Syracuse - Bennett was once robbed at gunpoint on his way to football practice, but refused to leave the field when his mom came to pick him up.
QB Tim Boyle, Eastern Kentucky - Though he didn’t get a ton of opportunities in college, Boyle was a winner in high school. He was part of three consecutive state championship teams as a prep.
C Austin Davis, Duke - Not to be confused for the quarterback of the same name, Davis graduated in 2016 with a degree in political science and spent the 2017-2018 season pursuing a master’s degree in liberal studies.
S Raven Greene, James Madison - Greene took up football as a tribute to his father, who never got a chance to play football after a childhood car accident nearly cost him one of his legs.
LB Naashon Hughes, Texas - Hughes was born abroad, spending the first year of his life in Germany before moving to Fort Hood, Texas as a toddler.
LB CJ Johnson, East Texas Baptist - Johnson is going to have to make at least one adjustment in his life (other than trying to make the jump from DIII football to the NFL): he lists his favorite sports team as the Seahawks.
DL Tyler Lancaster, Northwestern - Lancaster was recognized by his teammates as the player who best embodied the ideals of the Northwestern football team and was given the honor of wearing the team’s #1 jersey as a result.
OL Alex Light, Richmond - During Light’s junior season, the 6-6, 310 pound tackle lined up as an eligible receiver against James Madison. Not only did Light make the grab when quarterback Kyle Lauletta tossed it his way, but he also happened to rumble for 15 yards and a first down.
OL Kyle Meadows, Kentucky - The 6-5, 305 pound offensive lineman may be an imposing force on the football field, but he’s just as imposing in the classroom. He double majored in psychology and philosophy while attending the University of Kentucky.
DL Filipo Mokofisi, Utah - His father also played collegiately at Utah and was an all-Mountain West linebacker in the 1980s before being drafted in the eighth round by the Saints in 1986.
LB Marcus Porter, Fairmont State - A four-year starter at middle linebacker, he led the Fairmont State Falcons in tackles each season. In his senior season, he was named second-team all-Mountain East along with his brother, Michael, a sophomore cornerback.
TE Kevin Rader, Youngstown State - Rader made the catch of his life in the 2016 FCS Semifinal against Eastern Washington. Down four points with time for just one more play, the tight end hauled in an improbable touchdown grab as time expired:
DL Conor Sheehy, Wisconsin - As a sophomore 270-pound nose tackle, Sheehy was given the nickname “Guru” by his defensive line for his thorough understanding of coordinator Dave Aranda’s defensive scheme.