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| Andrew Franks kicked a 54-yarder among his 15 field goals last season, and had a successful Pro Day earlier this offseason. RPI athletics photo by Tom Killips |
After Hobart's Ali Marpet was drafted in the second round, unprecedented in Division III history, the rest of the 2015 NFL draft came and went without another Division III player getting the call.
However, by the time you get to the final picks of the draft, it's generally better not to get picked. A player's odds are slightly better as a free agent, where they can be shopped around to several teams and choose the one that gives them the best opportunity to make the team.
And it didn't take long after the draft for players to get those calls. RPI kicker Andrew Franks signed a free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins, while UW-Whitewater wideout Jake Kumerow was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I thought I fit their needs quite well," Franks said in a video interview after the signing. "(Miami) gave me a good chance to fight for a job ... so I like that opportunity. They made it pretty easy for me after the draft to get picked up pretty quick."
Tyler Rutenbeck, a wide receiver for Dubuque, signed with the Washington Redskins. Alfred State running back Rasheed Williams was signed by the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles picked up Delaware Valley wide receiver Rasheed Bailey.
"It's one of the greatest days of my life," Bailey said. "I am so grateful to the Philadelphia Eagles for giving me this opportunity and I'm going to go out there and prove myself every day and see where God leads me."
Marpet will have a D-III teammate, as Heidelberg wide receiver Donteea Dye signed a free agent deal with the Bucs.
Thomas More running back Domonique Hayden will be in the Ravens' rookie minicamp, while the Vikings offered a tryout to UW-Whitewater quarterback Matt Behrendt and Warhawk cornerback Brady Grayvold as well as Dubuque safety Darren Myles and UW-Stevens Point safety Zach Vallafskey. The Bengals invited Mount St. Joseph receiver John Peters and Bethany punter Stephen Amic to their minicamp, while Montclair State cornerback C.J. Conway got an invite from the New York Giants. Cortland's Gabe Ostrow was invited to the Redskins camp,
We expect more Division III players to find their way into rookie camps this spring and as we get confirmation, we'll let you know.