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A number of FSU football players have recently been plunged into the waters of undrafted free agency after not being selected in the recently concluded 2019 NFL Draft. And, of course, we’re keeping you updated on where they get their respective shots in the league. But what of the most recent Florida State UFAs who’ve tried to break into the NFL the hard way?
It’s certainly a fight for undrafted free agents, who weren’t picked for a reason. Or, more accurately, reasons. After the 2018 NFL Draft, eight Seminoles caught on with teams as undrafted free agents, and a trio are still in the league.
Trey Marshall remains on the Denver Broncos’ roster. Matthew Thomas signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was waived, and is now on the Baltimore Ravens’ roster. And Tarvarus McFadden is still with the San Fransisco 49ers.
Ryan Green, Ermon Lane, and Jacob Pugh failed to stick with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Seattle Seahawks, respectively, and then got a shot with the AAF, which folded quickly.
Jalen Wilkerson was waived by the Houston Texans and then the Washington Redskins, and his football career is now over. Jared Jackson did not last with the Los Angeles Rams.
Following 2017’s draft, Freddie Stevenson signed with the Chicago Bears but was cut before winding up with the doomed AAF. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster still includes Bobo Wilson. Travis Rudolph was waived by the New York Giants, caught on with the Miami Dolphins, but is no longer on their roster. Kermit Whitfield was waived by the Bears but is presently signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on a reserve/future contract.
So over the last two years, 12 FSU UFAs have gotten an opportunity with NFL teams, and five remain on NFL rosters. All things considered, those aren’t terrible odds, although they don’t take into account the players who don’t get any kind of pro shot in the first place.
Going back much farther than that isn’t really fair, as the average NFL career is only about 3.3 years. It was said well in Fight Club: “On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.” It will be interesting to see what this new crop of undrafted Seminoles does with the time they have left on their football timelines— and where.