Seven Rams Pursuing NFL Opportunities Following 2022 Draft

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The dust had barely settled from the 2022 NFL Draft, which saw Colorado State's Trey McBride selected by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 55 overall, before a bevy of Rams were offered opportunities to continue their playing careers at the next level.

On Friday, the aforementioned McBride was the first tight end and the first Mountain West player off the board when the Arizona Cardinals took him with their first pick of the weekend. McBride joins veteran tight end and Super Bowl Champion Zach Ertz to add to a formidable offense in Phoenix led by 2019 Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray.

It wasn't just McBride though who became a professional football player over the weekend.

Following the draft, NFL teams pursue undrafted players either in the form of free agent contracts or rookie mini camp invitations, and six additional Rams were given the chance to pursue their NFL dreams.

Cam Butler, TE
Butler accepted a rookie mini camp invitation from the New York Giants after a productive four years in Fort Collins. Butler tallied 59 receptions for 719 yards and seven touchdowns, all career marks just outside the top five for a tight end in Colorado State history. Over his career, Butler appeared in 42 games.

Manny Jones, DL
Jones, a fixture in the Colorado State defensive front for all five seasons, signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals where he will reunite with McBride. Jones appeared in 49 games over his career and elevated his game to NFL potential after moving inside in 2020 and 2021. For his career, Jones tallied 33.0 tackles for loss, the seventh-most in program history, surpassing names like Shaquil Barrett, Adrian Ross, and Joey Porter in the process.

Scott Patchan, DL
Patchan, a two-year starter for the Rams on the defensive line, signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts. An honorable mention in 2021 by Phil Steele and two-time All-Mountain West first team selection, Patchan came to Colorado State following a career at Miami and made an immediate impact. During his final season, Patchan tallied 19.5 tackles for loss, the fifth-most in a single-season in program history and 10.5 sacks, the sixth-most in program history.

Ross Reiter, LS
Reiter, Colorado State's consistent man-in-the-middle on special teams for the past four seasons, accepted a mini camp invite with the Kansas City Chiefs. A Rubio Long Snapping All-American in 2021, Reiter was never credited with a bad snap during his collegiate career, a stretch of over 375 snaps. He was integral to the success of punter Ryan Stonehouse, who set the NCAA career punt average mark, as well as kicker Cayden Camper who set the program's single-season field goal record in 2021.

Ryan Stonehouse, P
The NCAA career leader in punt average, Stonehouse signed a contract to join the Tennessee Titans. A second-time All-American in 2021 by Phil Steele, Stonehouse concluded the best statistical career by a punter in NCAA as a senior. His 47.8 career punt average is the best in FBS history, and his 50.9 average in 2021 reset his own school record and was one of the top marks in FBS history. Stonehouse was also a Ray Guy Award semifinalist for the first time in his decorated career as a senior.

Barry Wesley, OL
A former walk-on turned four-year starter, Wesley received an invitation to join Butler for the New York Giants mini camp as well. Wesley played every position during his collegiate career and started every possible game, a span of 40 games from 2018-21. Wesley was a fixture at the tackle positions but also spent time playing left guard. He was the 2019 recipient of the Albert C. Yates Student Leadership award, presented annually to the student who displays strong involvement through leadership.

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