Indiana football: List of Hoosiers in NFL camps
NFL training camps started this week and there are plenty of Hoosiers toiling with pro teams around the country.
Several veteran Hoosiers have found new homes, mostly successful running backs Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard. Coleman has moved from the Atlanta Falcons to the San Francisco 49ers, and Howard was traded from the Chicago Bears to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Here's a look at where they are, and what their prospects are for the 2019 season:
The veterans
Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers: Coleman had a very good career at Indiana, and he had success with the Atlanta Falcons as well during his first four seasons in the NFL. He rushed for 2,340 yards there, and was a threat through the air as well, scoring 29 touchdowns either on the ground or through the air. He will share carries with Matt Breida in San Francisco, but likely will remain a standout player in the league.
Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles: Howard was the starting running back in Chicago for three years, and despite rushing for 3,370 yards, he wasn't the perfect fit in new coach Matt Nagy's offense. Rather than dole out big bucks for him soon, the Bears opted to trade him to the Eagles for next to nothing (a sixth-round pick). The Eagles, like the Bears, are a projected playoff team and Howard will play a big role. He'll share carries with Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood, but don't be surprised if he gets the bulk of the carries.
Dan Feeney, Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers love Dan Feeney, and he has had two good seasons after being selected in the third round (71st overall) in 2017. Feeney has fast become one of the best guards in the game, and he is part of an offensive line in Los Angeles that's one of the top groups in the league. The Chargers have playoff aspirations this season and Feeney will play a big role in that.
Rodger Saffold, Tennessee Titans: Rodger Saffold got rich this summer when he signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Tennessee Titans that included $22.5 million in guaranteed money. After nine seasons with the Los Angeles and St. Louis Rams, Saffold is a proven star in the league, and one of the best guards in the business. Titans coach Mike Vrabel appreciates great line play, and Saffold will add a lot to the Titans.
Cody Latimer, New York Giants: Cody Latimer hasn't done a lot in the league since being a second-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2014, but he's still hanging around after signing a new deal with the New York Giants. The Giants have a revamped receiving corps after star Odell Beckham Jr. was traded to Cleveland, so it's going to be interesting to see what kind of playing time Latimer can get. A roster spot is likely, but no guarantee.
Nate Sudfeld, Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Sudfeld earned a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 and he's the backup to Carson Wentz, who just signed a big deal but has been prone to injury. With Nick Foles off to Jacksonville, Sudfeld might be in line for more playing time if Wentz gets hurt again. Cody Kessler and rookie Clayton Thorson from Northwestern are his other competitors in the quarterback room.
Jason Spriggs, Green Bay Packers: Offensive lineman Jason Spriggs has had a hard time staying healthy in the NFL, but he's hoping to do so and lend a hand on the offensive line with the Packers. Green Bay's offensive line hasn't been very good lately, so if Spriggs can stay healthy, he might be able to earn some playing time.
The youngsters
Simmie Cobbs, New Orleans Saints: Cobbs signed with the Saints in December after being plucked off Washington's practice squad. A full camp this summer might allow him to break into the Saints' talented receiving corps, which is led by Michael Thomas, who just signed a big deal. Cobbs hasn't had a chance in the league just yet, but this could be it.
Indiana's Simmie Cobbs tries to break free against Wake Forest.
Chris Covington, Dallas Cowboys: Covington was a sixth-round pick of the Cowboys in 2018 and appeared in six games. They like him for his versatility, so it will be interesting to see what kind of impact he can have on the Dallas defense this season. Everyone's rooting for him, of course, considering how he's overcome major injuries and position changes throughout his college career.
Ian Thomas, Carolina Panthers: Ian Thomas only played 11 games in two seasons at Indiana, but he showed enough to get picked in the fourth-round by the Carolina Panthers. As a rookie, Thomas caught 36 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns, and his future looks bright with the Panthers, who love quality tight ends.
Brandon Knight, Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Knight signed a free-agent contract with Dallas after not being drafted last year. The right tackle has a lot of competition for a roster spot, because the Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines in the game. It's going to be interesting to see how he does in the preseason games, because he'll likely get a lot of playing time while the Cowboys' veteran starters get some rest.
Wes Martin, Washington Redskins: Wes Martin was a fourth-round pick of the Washington Redskins, and they really liked what he did in his first year. He played well off the bench and could contend for a starting spot this season. His future looks bright with the Redskins.
Rob McCray, Kansas City Chiefs: McCray spent all of last year on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad, so camp this summer is going to be big for him if he wants to earn a roster spot. The linebacker position is in a state of flux in Kansas City, so it's going to be interesting to see how McCray does there.
Tegray Scales, Pittsburgh Steelers: Tegray Scales helped turn around Indiana’s defense under Tom Allen and became a huge fan favorite. It was a bit of a surprise that he went undrafted, but he's in the Pittsburgh Steelers camp now and is trying to earn a roster spot. He's a great locker room presence, and that might be the edge he needs on a close call at roster cut-down time.
Dan Godsil, Cincinnati Bengals: Godsil is getting a chance with the Cincinnati Bengals, but it's not clear if the former Indiana long-snapper is just a camp filler or not. It's always hard to tell when roster spots are really open with long snappers, so this will be a wait-and-see proposition.
Jonathan Crawford, Tennessee Titans: Jonathan Crawford just signed with the Tennessee Titans again after being signed and cut earlier this year. Crawford seems to be an end-of- the-roster guy at the moment, and he's got his work cut out for him to make a good impression before final cuts.
