National Football League Draft hopefuls are far removed from their playground days, but they still have to face the possibility of not being picked for team.
Luckily, getting passed over on draft weekend does not necessarily mean that these college players are left out of the game. In the uncertain world of the draft, signing a free agent contract provides another shot at making the pros.
Just ask Ohio cornerback Dion Byrum. After not hearing his name called this past weekend, Byrum signed a contract Monday with the Chicago Bears and will begin his quest to make the team.
We're excited for him
defensive coordinator Ohio Jimmy Burrow said. Everybody that plays for us probably has a goal to play in the National Football League. The first step is getting that opportunity and he's certainly got that opportunity.
No college player dreams of becoming a free agent right out of school, but free agency gives hope to those who were not among the 255 draftees. Byrum's statistics from the 2005 season placed him among the best at his position, yet he was not selected by a team.
But not being picked does not always translate into teams and coaches thinking that a player cannot cut it in the NFL.
I'm sure there's possibly some disappointment as far as not getting drafted Burrow said. (Dion and I) talked on the phone that night
and I said
'Hey
at this point
you do have that chance
and obviously they think a lot of you because (Bears) Coach (Lovie) Smith and the defensive backs coach personally came to visit you. They flew you into Chicago
so I'm certain that they're willing to give you every opportunity to make that team.'
Everybody was eagerly watching and hoping for him
Ohio quarterback Austen Everson said. But there's always a possibility that you'll fall through and just get picked up.
Even though Byrum did not get drafted, his former teammates with similar ambitions are not discouraged.
It would've been great to see him get drafted
linebacker Matt Muncy said. But getting drafted in the later rounds is almost the same as signing as a free agent.
I don't want to get ahead of myself, but (playing in the NFL) is something that's always been a goal of mine. I hope to be in same position as Dion a year from now.
The selection criteria and tactics of NFL teams can leave college players and coaches scratching their heads. But often the only thing to do is take what comes along and make the best of it.
It's hard to say why someone didn't get drafted, Burrow said. I think there's opportunities out there, and many guys make it as a free agent. Hopefully our guys are looking at it again in a positive frame of mind, as Dion's getting a chance to play for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. There's no guarantees anywhere you go as far as getting drafted, so you've just got to work hard and have goals in mind.
Some contributed Byrum's undrafted status to the lack of BCS-caliber opponents that he faced in his career at Ohio. But Burrow
