Colorado State University Athletics
New #NextLevelRams looking to make most out of opportunities
5/2/2018 2:34:00 PM | Football
Eleven former Rams to get their first NFL experience at upcoming rookie camps
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Eleven former Colorado State Rams football players are headed to NFL rookie minicamps as early as this weekend, looking to help improve their chances to secure roster spots for the 2018 season. Among the 11 are one draft choice, four undrafted free agent signees and six invited to try out during rookie minicamps in hopes of being signed to a contract.
NFL teams will hold their three-day rookie minicamps over the next two weeks – May 4-7 or May 11-14.
These 11 aspiring #NextLevelRams will look to join the eight former CSU stars currently on NFL rosters:
Michael Gallup – WR – Dallas Cowboys (Drafted 3rd round, 81st overall)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Including Gallup, the Cowboys currently list nine wide receivers on their roster. For the first time since 2009, the roster does not include former all-pro Dez Bryant.
While Gallup was not drafted as a direct replacement for Bryant, there is no doubting that the Cowboys will look for him to help replace his production.
"I'm not coming to replace anybody," Gallup said. "I'm just coming down here to compete, find my role on the team and help win ball games."
Terrance Williams is Dallas' leading returning wide out, posting 568 yards on 53 receptions last season. In addition to Bryant's departure, tight end Jason Witten retired after recording 560 receiving yards in 2017.
Also returning are veterans Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson. The Cowboys also drafted Boise State's Cedrick Wilson in the sixth round.
Detrich Clark – WR – Atlanta Falcons (Undrafted free agent signee)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
The Atlanta Falcons have one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, Julio Jones (1,444 yards on 88 catches in 2017) and veteran Mohamed Sanu (703 yards, 67 catches). The other 10 receivers listed on their roster have a combined four seasons of experience at the NFL level, suggesting there are opportunities to be had to make the active roster.
One of those rookies is first-round pick Calvin Ridley. Ridley was the first receiver taken in the draft after starring at Alabama. The Falcons also selected LSU's Russell Gage in the sixth round.
There are now three #NextLevelRams on the Falcons roster – Clark, Garrett Grayson and Ty Sambrailo.
Dalyn Dawkins – RB – Tennessee Titans (Undrafted free agent signee)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Dawkins was one of the most productive all-around running backs in CSU history, and will showcase his varied skillset for the Titans. Dawkins joins a backfield that includes Derrick Henry (team-leading 744 rushing yards last season) and David Fluellen (four career carries).
The Titans signed former Patriots running back Dion Lewis this offseason (896 rushing yards last season in New England) and added Larry Rose III (New Mexico State) and Akrum Wadley (Iowa) as undrafted free agents.
Zack Golditch – OL – Los Angeles Chargers (Undrafted free agent signee)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
The versatile Golditch is listed as one of seven guards on the Chargers' roster. It's a relatively inexperienced crew that has also had several players miss playing time due to injury. Dan Feeney, a two-year pro out of Indiana, made nine starts and appeared in 15 games last season.
Golditch graduated from CSU in December with a pair of bachelor's degrees (sociology and ethnic studies).
Trent Sieg – LS – Baltimore Ravens (Undrafted free agent signee)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 4-6
The Ravens were one of many teams interested in Sieg's talents as a long snapper. Morgan Cox is the only other long snapper on their roster and has been their primary snapper since 2010.
Sieg is slated to graduate this May with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Jake Bennett – OL – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Rookie minicamp invitation)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Bennett was a three-year starter at center for the Rams, but could be used elsewhere on the line at the pro level. The Buccaneers return a pair of veteran centers in Ryan Jensen and Evan Smith.
Bennett graduated from CSU in December with his communications studies degree.
Nick Callender – OL – Seattle Seahawks (Rookie minicamp invitation)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 4-6
Two seasons removed from his final action as a Ram, Callender will look to stick with the Seahawks. Callender had an impressive pro day effort in 2017 before injuring his Achilles.
Callender graduated from CSU in August of 2016 with his liberal arts degree.
Evan Colorito – LB – New Orleans Saints
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Colorito, one of the most effective pass rushers the Rams have had in recent years, will aim to impress the Saints. Colorito provided one of the more memorable defensive plays of 2017 for CSU, sacking New Mexico's Tevaka Tuioti with no time remaining to seal a 27-24 win.
Colorito graduated from CSU in December with his communications studies degree.
Trae Moxley – OL – Arizona Cardinals (Rookie minicamp invitation)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Moxley will head to Arizona's rookie minicamp after a 2017 season that earned him honorable mention All-Mountain West recognition. The Cardinals enter the 2018 campaign with a new head coach (Steven Wilks) and in need of a new starting quarterback.
Moxley graduated from CSU in December with his communications studies degree.
Kevin Nutt, Jr. – CB – San Francisco 49ers (Rookie minicamp invitation)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 4-6
Nutt, Jr., a native of Fresno, Calif., will head to his home state for rookie minicamp with the 49ers. Nutt will look to make a positive impression on the team and ultimately join former Ram Weston Richburg on the roster.
Nutt, Jr. is set to graduate this May with a communications studies degree.
Nick Stevens – QB – Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins (Rookie minicamp invitations)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 4-6 (Green Bay), May 11-12 (Washington)
Stevens is headed to a pair of rookie minicamps, trying out for both the Packers and Redskins, looking to be the second former CSU QB to currently hold a spot on an NFL roster (Garrett Grayson – Atlanta).
Green Bay boasts future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers and a pair of experienced young QBs – Brett Hundley and DeShone Kizer, along with rookie free agent Tim Boyle out of Eastern Kentucky. With Rodgers entering his age-34 season, the Packers may be looking for their future signal caller.
Washington acquired veteran starter Alex Smith in the offseason and has one of the more experienced backups in the league with Colt McCoy. The Redskins also acquired three-year pro Kevin Hogan. Washington is the current home of former CSU running back Kapri Bibbs.
Stevens graduated in May of 2017 with his bachelor's degree in business administration and was enrolled in graduate school last fall.
NFL teams will hold their three-day rookie minicamps over the next two weeks – May 4-7 or May 11-14.
These 11 aspiring #NextLevelRams will look to join the eight former CSU stars currently on NFL rosters:
- Shaquil Barrett, Denver
- Kapri Bibbs, Washington
- DeAndre Elliott, Seattle
- Garrett Grayson, Atlanta
- Rashard Higgins, Cleveland
- Cory James, Oakland
- Weston Richburg, San Francisco
- Ty Sambrailo, Atlanta
Michael Gallup – WR – Dallas Cowboys (Drafted 3rd round, 81st overall)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Including Gallup, the Cowboys currently list nine wide receivers on their roster. For the first time since 2009, the roster does not include former all-pro Dez Bryant.
While Gallup was not drafted as a direct replacement for Bryant, there is no doubting that the Cowboys will look for him to help replace his production.
"I'm not coming to replace anybody," Gallup said. "I'm just coming down here to compete, find my role on the team and help win ball games."
Terrance Williams is Dallas' leading returning wide out, posting 568 yards on 53 receptions last season. In addition to Bryant's departure, tight end Jason Witten retired after recording 560 receiving yards in 2017.
Also returning are veterans Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson. The Cowboys also drafted Boise State's Cedrick Wilson in the sixth round.
Detrich Clark – WR – Atlanta Falcons (Undrafted free agent signee)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
The Atlanta Falcons have one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, Julio Jones (1,444 yards on 88 catches in 2017) and veteran Mohamed Sanu (703 yards, 67 catches). The other 10 receivers listed on their roster have a combined four seasons of experience at the NFL level, suggesting there are opportunities to be had to make the active roster.
One of those rookies is first-round pick Calvin Ridley. Ridley was the first receiver taken in the draft after starring at Alabama. The Falcons also selected LSU's Russell Gage in the sixth round.
There are now three #NextLevelRams on the Falcons roster – Clark, Garrett Grayson and Ty Sambrailo.
Dalyn Dawkins – RB – Tennessee Titans (Undrafted free agent signee)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Dawkins was one of the most productive all-around running backs in CSU history, and will showcase his varied skillset for the Titans. Dawkins joins a backfield that includes Derrick Henry (team-leading 744 rushing yards last season) and David Fluellen (four career carries).
The Titans signed former Patriots running back Dion Lewis this offseason (896 rushing yards last season in New England) and added Larry Rose III (New Mexico State) and Akrum Wadley (Iowa) as undrafted free agents.
Zack Golditch – OL – Los Angeles Chargers (Undrafted free agent signee)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
The versatile Golditch is listed as one of seven guards on the Chargers' roster. It's a relatively inexperienced crew that has also had several players miss playing time due to injury. Dan Feeney, a two-year pro out of Indiana, made nine starts and appeared in 15 games last season.
Golditch graduated from CSU in December with a pair of bachelor's degrees (sociology and ethnic studies).
Trent Sieg – LS – Baltimore Ravens (Undrafted free agent signee)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 4-6
The Ravens were one of many teams interested in Sieg's talents as a long snapper. Morgan Cox is the only other long snapper on their roster and has been their primary snapper since 2010.
Sieg is slated to graduate this May with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Jake Bennett – OL – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Rookie minicamp invitation)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Bennett was a three-year starter at center for the Rams, but could be used elsewhere on the line at the pro level. The Buccaneers return a pair of veteran centers in Ryan Jensen and Evan Smith.
Bennett graduated from CSU in December with his communications studies degree.
Nick Callender – OL – Seattle Seahawks (Rookie minicamp invitation)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 4-6
Two seasons removed from his final action as a Ram, Callender will look to stick with the Seahawks. Callender had an impressive pro day effort in 2017 before injuring his Achilles.
Callender graduated from CSU in August of 2016 with his liberal arts degree.
Evan Colorito – LB – New Orleans Saints
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Colorito, one of the most effective pass rushers the Rams have had in recent years, will aim to impress the Saints. Colorito provided one of the more memorable defensive plays of 2017 for CSU, sacking New Mexico's Tevaka Tuioti with no time remaining to seal a 27-24 win.
Colorito graduated from CSU in December with his communications studies degree.
Trae Moxley – OL – Arizona Cardinals (Rookie minicamp invitation)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 11-13
Moxley will head to Arizona's rookie minicamp after a 2017 season that earned him honorable mention All-Mountain West recognition. The Cardinals enter the 2018 campaign with a new head coach (Steven Wilks) and in need of a new starting quarterback.
Moxley graduated from CSU in December with his communications studies degree.
Kevin Nutt, Jr. – CB – San Francisco 49ers (Rookie minicamp invitation)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 4-6
Nutt, Jr., a native of Fresno, Calif., will head to his home state for rookie minicamp with the 49ers. Nutt will look to make a positive impression on the team and ultimately join former Ram Weston Richburg on the roster.
Nutt, Jr. is set to graduate this May with a communications studies degree.
Nick Stevens – QB – Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins (Rookie minicamp invitations)
Rookie minicamp dates: May 4-6 (Green Bay), May 11-12 (Washington)
Stevens is headed to a pair of rookie minicamps, trying out for both the Packers and Redskins, looking to be the second former CSU QB to currently hold a spot on an NFL roster (Garrett Grayson – Atlanta).
Green Bay boasts future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers and a pair of experienced young QBs – Brett Hundley and DeShone Kizer, along with rookie free agent Tim Boyle out of Eastern Kentucky. With Rodgers entering his age-34 season, the Packers may be looking for their future signal caller.
Washington acquired veteran starter Alex Smith in the offseason and has one of the more experienced backups in the league with Colt McCoy. The Redskins also acquired three-year pro Kevin Hogan. Washington is the current home of former CSU running back Kapri Bibbs.
Stevens graduated in May of 2017 with his bachelor's degree in business administration and was enrolled in graduate school last fall.
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