Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › UDFAs — tweets, articles, etc.
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April 28, 2018 at 8:21 pm #85595AgamemnonParticipant
Some UDFAs: Yale Matt Oplinger is signing with the #AZCardinals. #Temple WR Keith Kirkwood will be signing with the #Saints. #UtahSt WR Damoun Patterson headed to the #Falcons. #USC WR Steven Mitchell is signing with the #Rams.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2018
Rams add a UDFA receiver from USC https://t.co/40CiurekQ2
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) April 28, 2018
#Rams signing McKay Murphy as UDFA https://t.co/nmDF3GLRa7
— Downtown Rams (@DowntownRams) April 28, 2018
Rams add another LB as a UDFA, per report. https://t.co/1fbpORDKFY
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) April 28, 2018
Rams add one of Obo’s OU teammates as a UDFA https://t.co/0c2GAcj1w6
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) April 28, 2018
April 28, 2018 at 9:14 pm #85610AgamemnonParticipantRams 2018 undrafted free agent tracker
Rams 2018 undrafted free agent tracker
By: Cameron DaSilva | 2 hours agoWith the 2018 NFL Draft officially in the books, the time for teams to sign undrafted free agents has come. Players who don’t get drafted still get the chance to prove themselves on the field, be it in minicamp or potentially into the preseason.
They make up a large portion of NFL rosters each year, even outnumbering first- and second-round picks. That’s why this is a crucial time for teams across the league to scoop up players they didn’t have the chance to draft for one reason or another.
Among the best undrafted free agents in NFL history are a pair of former Rams, London Fletcher and Kurt Warner. Tony Romo, Warren Moon, Antonio Gates and John Randle all went undrafted, too, so there are always diamonds in the rough.
To keep you updated on all the players the Rams sign, be sure to follow along below as we’ll continually add players to the list.
USC WR Steven Mitchell
Some UDFAs: Yale Matt Oplinger is signing with the #AZCardinals. #Temple WR Keith Kirkwood will be signing with the #Saints. #UtahSt WR Damoun Patterson headed to the #Falcons. #USC WR Steven Mitchell is signing with the #Rams.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2018
Indiana LB Tegray Scales
I got to many people who invested in me!!! Proud to be a Los Angeles Ram!🤞🏾💯 #TrustTheProcess #LARams
— Tegray Ocho🎱 Scales (@Tegray_Scales8) April 28, 2018
Oklahoma safety Steven Parker
Thankful to be a Ram🙏🏾 Blessing from God💯 https://t.co/9GfnDPJvz7
— Steven Parker (@Lil_Stevie21) April 28, 2018
Illinois State DT Dalton Keene
Dalton Keene (DL, Illinois State) just agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Rams. Very disruptive player who impressed a lot of teams at the East/West Shrine Game.
— Brett Tessler (@TesslerSports) April 28, 2018
April 28, 2018 at 9:19 pm #85614AgamemnonParticipantApril 28, 2018 at 9:23 pm #85615znModeratorAh. An Ag roster. Now we know it’s NFL draft assessment season. It’s official.
April 28, 2018 at 10:08 pm #85620JackPMillerParticipantIf possible, I would like to try and get these UDFAs,
David Bellamy Edge Rusher Georgia
Jeremiah Briscoe QB Sam Houston State
Issac Boettger OG Iowa
Godwin Igwebuike FS Northwestern
Nyles Morgan LB Notre Dame
April 28, 2018 at 10:24 pm #85622znModeratorDeadpool sez:
Dalton Keene, DL, Illinois State – played inside out of position. Is a 34 End. had a game as a freshman in the NCG against NDSU. Not athletic, but a fierce worker. Glad he is out of the MVC.
Steven Mitchell, WR, USC – undersized wr that was never healthy. Has zero chance of even sniffing a PS spot.
Steven Parker, S, Oklahoma – The bizarro-JJ3, good against the run, plenty aggressive, but no pass defending instincts and little recovery.
Tegray Scales, LB, Indiana – awesome get, Alyo likes him as an OLB, I love him inside. A tad undersized but great instincts, looks like a leader on the field, not afraid to take on blockers. His size could be an issue. I had him ranked 151 (middle of the 5th) really love this pick.
April 29, 2018 at 9:33 am #85661snowmanParticipantGil Brandt is reporting some free agent signings following the draft. He lists the Rams as signing WR Steven Mitchell, USC and defensive back Afolabi Laguda, Colorado. Chargers signed a bunch, other teams starting to sign players,
April 29, 2018 at 11:44 am #85682canadaramParticipantOurlads Guide to the Draft on Rams UDFA ILB Tegray Scales:
Three-year starter who played in 48 games. From Cincinnati, OH. First Indiana linebacker to earn All-America honors (2016) in 29 years. Concluded his Hoosier career with 46 tackles for loss, 18 career sacks, 325 total tackles, eight interceptions, nine quarterback hurries, and nine pass breakups. He also recorded 13 double digit tackle games. Deliberate in initial read and quick to react. Good downhill shuffle with fits at the inside gaps. Runs well in pursuit and takes good angles with inside leverage on the perimeter. Good short space redirection with ability to make plays in space. Not a great hit and shed player as he is better with quickness and avoiding blocks. Uses good agility in traffic to sift through the trash. Can get covered up if a blocker gets into him. Physical tackler with good gather and leverage. Consistently wraps up. Good blitz skill with anticipation at the snap. Gets upfield quickly and can avoid a block and get around the corner. Pass coverage is inconsistent as his depth of drop in zone is not always deep enough and his reactions on the throw can be late. Needs better zone awareness. Has mirror ability in man coverage but has not demonstrated extended speed. Need to see more. East-West Shrine participant. 2017 stats: 89 T, 12.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 INT. OSR: 20/22. Fourth/fifth round. (A-30 3/4, H- 8 5/8, BP – 27, SS-DNP).
April 29, 2018 at 12:02 pm #85685canadaramParticipantBrugler:
TEGRAY SCALES | Indiana 6003 | 230 lbs. | SR. Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain) 5/10/1996 (age 21.9) #8
BACKGROUND: A three-star linebacker recruit out of high school, Tegray (TEE-gray) Scales was a two-sport performer at Cincinnati’s Colerain, earning numerous accolades in wrestling and football. A four-year letterwinner in wrestling, he compiled a 154-29 record on the mat, including a 41-2 mark as a senior, finishing runner- up in the 195-pound championship in 2014. As a senior in football, Scales recorded 102 tackles, 13.0 sacks and two interceptions, earning co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in the state of Ohio. He received scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Wisconsin and several other power-five schools, but felt a connection with the Indiana program. He was named the Hoosiers Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2014, posting 46 tackles and three interceptions as a true freshman back-up. Scales again served as a reserve in 2015 and recorded 64 tackles and two interceptions. He earned a starting job as a junior and had a breakout season with a team-best 126 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks, earning All-American honors. Scales returned for his senior season and posted 89 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and a pair of interceptions, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. He accepted his invitation to the 2018 East-West Shrine Game.STRENGTHS: Excellent key and diagnose skills…trusts what he sees vs. the run, playing with speed and conviction…bounce in his feet to mirror and attack with sharpened angles…expanded range due to his chase skills…physical striker and creates collisions…not a finesse player and eager to challenge blockers…comfortable dropping in space, leveraging routes and anticipating passing windows…tallied eight career interceptions, making plays on the ball when available…two-year team captain and teammates gravitate towards him (Indiana cornerback Rashard Fant: “He needs to be a motivational speaker once football is over with.”)…highly productive career resume, finishing third in school history in tackles for loss (46.0) and No. 10 in tackles (325).
WEAKNESSES: Short-armed and lacks an ideal frame…undeveloped take-on skills, lacking the hand technique to disengage blocks…overaggressive tendencies lead him to the wrong gap…inconsistent finisher, missing tackles in space and allowing runners to step out of his grasp…undisciplined striker, leading to late or high hits that will be penalized in the NFL…tight-hipped and can lose balance when redirecting…effectiveness in coverage drops once he turns his back to the ball…play and production didn’t improve from his junior to senior seasons.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Indiana, Scales was highly productive as the starting MIKE in the Hoosiers’ dual-linebacker scheme, filling the stat sheet with downhill production. While he tends to struggle between the tackles due to inconsistent take-on skills and impatience, he does a great job mirroring runs outside the hashes where he can chase and run. Scales is fast and physical and his wrestling background shows, but he needs to improve his discipline, especially as a tackler, to stay on the field. With his rigid redirection skills, it will be tough for NFL teams to trust him covering backs or tight ends. Overall, Scales has limitations that could keep him from being a regular NFL starter, but he senses what is about to happen with the play speed to be productive vs. the run, which should make him the first Indiana linebacker drafted since 1988.
GRADE: 5th-6th RoundApril 29, 2018 at 12:59 pm #85691AgamemnonParticipant#Rams signing former #Kansas and #TexasAM WR LaQuvionte Gonzalez to UDFA deal.
— Downtown Rams (@DowntownRams) April 29, 2018
Afolabi Laguda is joining the #Rams as a UDFA. https://t.co/j3WfLyxUBd
— Downtown Rams (@DowntownRams) April 29, 2018
Afolabi Laguda DB/SafetyOooo I like this Chucky Williams signing with the #Rams. https://t.co/l0TxXju5am
— Downtown Rams (@DowntownRams) April 29, 2018
Chucky Williams another safetyApril 29, 2018 at 1:34 pm #85696znModeratorBenjamin Allbright@AllbrightNFL
Luis Perez is signing with the Rams===
From bowling star to QB in five years, Luis Perez is the NFL draft’s most unlikely prospect
Perez won D-II title despite not playing high school ballLuis Perez enrolled at Southwestern College, a junior college in Chula Vista, Calif., just a few miles down the road from where he grew up, in 2013 with a plan. It was all so clear in his head.
Perez knew exactly what was in store for him. A friend pointed him in the direction of the school’s football facility and marched into the office of head coach Ed Carberry with an edict. Perez announced he was there to play quarterback for Carberry’s squad.
Only one problem: Perez had never played QB in organized football.
At any level.
“We get a lot of guys who want to play quarterback here who have played Madden football,” said Carberry, who is in his 42nd year of coaching. “But nothing quite like Luis’ story.”
Perez wasn’t coming from his couch with a controller in his hands. Although he had spent the previous several years dominating the California bowling circuit as a top-rated amateur, Perez spent much of his free time dreaming of being a Division-I college quarterback despite never as much as throwing a ball in an organized practice.
He had played a tiny bit of high school football but was moved to a few positions — none of which included the letters “Q” and “B” — and promptly quit. That’s when his bowling career really took off. But even after he graduated high school, having never played the position, Perez remained undaunted.
If he was ever going to play quarterback, Southwestern quickly emerged as his best — and maybe only — real bet to get that shot.
“[Carberry] asked where I was from, where I played high school and where my highlight tape was. He kind of laughed at me,” Perez told PFW recently by phone. “I had no options. I had no film. I had nothing. I couldn’t send my stuff out to other teams. I had no stuff to send.”
But the next day, Perez was out on the field for spring practice. The team gave him a helmet that was way too big. His pads were meant for a lineman. There were eight other quarterbacks on the team. Perez found himself ninth on the depth chart at a position he’d never played at any level and one no one believed he could or had any business playing.
“I didn’t care,” Perez said. “I always knew I wanted to play quarterback. This is going to sound weird, but the moment I decided to stop football I still knew I wanted to play college football and play quarterback. I don’t know how or why I still felt that. I just felt somehow, some way, I was going to find a way to do it.”
Slowly but surely he worked his way up the depth chart. Guys quit or transferred. There were injuries. And Perez, it turned out, wasn’t too shabby at this quarterback thing. He was accurate and a quick study — two of his biggest assets to this day, along with his absolute belief in himself.
Assets that, incredibly, have the 23-year-old on the radar of NFL scouts as we close in on the 2018 NFL draft.
“It’s been a whirlwind. It’s been an unbelievable experience,” Perez said. “To be able to have NFL teams shake my hand, go to my pro day and all that. It’s been my dream, my No. 1 goal, to play in the NFL as a kid.”
And the most unlikely ascension story of the draft started when he got his shot at Southwest. Perez earned the backup role behind starter Frank Foster, passing up the other seven quarterbacks that had been on the roster. When Foster suffered a sprained AC joint in the fourth game of the 2013 season, the player no Southwestern teammates had a clue about a few months earlier was in the game on the road at San Bernadino.
“Everyone is going, ‘Oh no, Luis has to go in,’” Perez said.
But all he did was complete 4-of-5 passes in relief and throw a touchdown to earn the save in the 41-20 Southwestern win.
Carberry, of course, remembers the first snap as well as any of them.
“He’s out there in the shotgun, pointing at stuff, like he’s Aaron Rodgers,” Carberry said, “and the center snaps the ball and hits him right in the chest. Kind of an inauspicious start.”
Perez laughs at that — and he even had a touchdown called back in the game. He knew there might be a bump or two on this unusual road. But Carberry said Perez always acted like he belonged. The next week Perez threw for three TDs and ran for another in a blowout victory.
“He has always had tremendous belief and confidence in himself,” Carberry said. “He comes by me [after his first start] and says, ‘Hey, I told you I could do it.’”
Perez appeared to be the guy for the rest of the season before he suffered a broken fibula. A few teammates chanted “one-hit wonder” and figured that might be the end of Perez’s cute story, especially when a hot-shot quarterback, Isaraelu Paopao, transferred in the next year.
But Perez beat him out, too, and put together a nice 2014 season (18-3 TD-INT ratio, 1,846 pass yards) even though he and Paopao would rotate in games that year. It was enough for 10 D-I schools to take serious notice — including Oklahoma State and Kansas State, both of which offered him a preferred walk-on spot — although none made scholarship offers. Cal-Davis did extend an offer, and he was set to go there, but the program pulled the offer last minute.
Once more out of options, Perez landed at Division-II Texas A&M-Commerce in July of 2015. They had a senior quarterback, so the school invited Perez to come in, redshirt and work toward earning a spot the following season.
For the next year, Perez was alongside the freshmen for 5 a.m. workouts and spent every last minute watching tape and listening to the play callers. Even at a D-II program most of the players on the roster grew up steeped in football, but Perez was still a relative neophyte. He even traveled on his own dime to attend the Lions’ road games, accompanied by his new wife, Brenda, just to be around and soak up as much as he could and stoke his craving for this new passion.
Perez knew he had to get not only bigger and faster but also smarter and wiser.
“I always had that mentality of wanting to learn fast,” he said. “I was always playing catch-up because I was always so far behind. That was one of the things that really has helped me so far. I wanted to be a sponge and learn from every single person I could learn from. And learn fast.”
Learn fast he did, and in 2016 all Perez did was win the starting job, earn first-team all-conference status, set a school record for TD passes in a season, be nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy (awarded to the Division II College Football Player of the Year) and lead his Commerce team to the D-II playoff semifinals.
After they lost to top-ranked Grand Valley State, Perez — who threw for 312 yards but also three picks in the loss — had another vision. He was going to lead Commerce to a championship in his senior season. So he dragged Brenda along for the 500-mile car ride to Kansas City, Kan., which was the site of the D-II championship game “so I could get a taste of what was in store for us,” he said.
The sat through a veritable blizzard and a wind chill of minus-7 that day, and it frankly wasn’t the most exciting game in the annals of football: Northwest Missouri State 29, North Alabama 7. Brenda tapped out in the third quarter, and the price for them going was Luis doing a week’s worth of dishes, he said, but in his mind it was all worth it.
“I knew I was going to be there in that game the next year,” Perez said.
And wouldn’t you know it? This time Perez did win the Harlon Hill Trophy, made massive statistical gains (from 3,326 passing yards to 4,999; from 32 TD passes to 46) and — yep — did lead the Lions to the national championship. In the 37-27 win, Perez completed 23-of-30 passes for 323 yards against a West Florida defense that came in allowing fewer than 200 pass yards per game and 6.5 yards an attempt.
Carberry just marvels at how the story unfolded.
“The guy who knocked on my office door, who never played quarterback before, is the national player of the year,” he said. “I mean … come on. This just doesn’t happen.”
Now the 6-foot-3, 219-pound Perez is attracting legitimate NFL attention. After a nice week of practice and performance in at the NFLPA Collegiate Game (completing 8-of-10 passes for 69 yards), Perez caught a big break when Texas A&M — yes, the Aggies — allowed him to be the quarterback at their March 26 pro day, which annually is heavily attended by NFL heavyweights, scouts and coaches alike. Perez drew up a 56-throw script and emailed it to the Aggies’ receivers, including top-50 draft prospect Christian Kirk.
And then? Here comes Johnny.
Oh yes, as in Johnny Manziel — the former A&M quarterback and Cleveland Browns first-rounder who had burned out of the NFL in spectacular fashion but now was on the comeback trail, hoping for a resurrection in the league. An A&M compliance officer broke the news to Perez: Manziel also would be throwing at the pro day, complicating matters quite a bit.
But Perez didn’t see it as a detriment. He viewed it as an opportunity.
“I said, ‘That’s fine.’ I actually liked it because I knew I would be throwing alongside a first-round pick. I knew scouts could compare me to him and make their own minds up,” Perez said.
Perez assumed Manziel would want his own script of throws, but to his surprise Manziel walked up to him early that day and said, “Hey, we’re going to do the script you sent Christian.” Perez scrambled back to his bag to retrieve the script and memorize the throws in a matter of minutes, but New Orleans Saints WR coach Curtis Johnson helped out by calling out the routes.
Perez helped himself out by having a terrific throwing session, and he did so with a packed out — NFL Network and ESPN were on hand for Manzielmania — completing nearly every pass and showing composure and ability to take command of the workout. A few days later, Perez had his second pro day back in Commerce and threw the ball well there, reportedly looking great in position drills and flashing a better arm than some scouts believed he had.
Among the teams that have spent the most time looking at Perez include the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints.
Perez’s calling card is his accuracy. He completed 70.6 percent of his passes this past season – first-round prospect Baker Mayfield completed 70.5 percent, Josh Allen just 56.3 percent – Carberry calls it uncanny.
“He’s unbelievably accurate. He just can throw the ball exactly where he wants it to go,” he said. “If you watch NFL games, the windows are so small. You have to be so precise. He’s able to do that. I don’t know if it’s from all the bowling he did as a young kid or what …”
Yes, had this incredible story never unfolded on the football field, Perez likely would be rolling strikes on a lane somewhere. He’s had 12 perfect games of 300 in his lifetime — not bad for a sport he picked up at the age of 9, when he beat his dad by 50 pins (on his dad’s birthday, no less) on his first try.
Perez might not be a tremendous athlete by quarterback standards, but he does seem to have a flare for the dramatic. When he got bored as a kid on dollar bowling Tuesday nights, he’d bowl the ball down the lane backward — and usually get a strike. He’s now replaced that with football tricks, such as throwing the pigskin through a basketball hoop a long way away.
But more than just his natural knack for throwing the ball, and even more than his precision as a thrower, Perez has the drive to be great. After all, you don’t go from never having played quarterback to being on the doorstep of the NFL — playing maybe sports’ most vaunted and demanding positions — without that rare drive.
“I wasn’t recruited. I never went to a football camp. I never had the private QB coach growing up. I had to work my way through every single thing,” Perez said. “I’ve had four years of football, really. Maybe my arm isn’t as great as some of these guys. But I have a different mentality. A different level of commitment. I’m married. Coaches never have to worry about me doing things I am not supposed to be doing.
“I am not even supposed to be here. Now this is everything to me. There is absolutely no chance I am going to blow this opportunity.”
Will he be drafted? That’s hard to say. But at worst, he’s earned a shot in an NFL training camp somewhere. And if you’ve doubted Perez’s ability to make it up to this point …
“Well, then I am just going to have to prove you — really, everyone else except my family — wrong again,” he said.
April 29, 2018 at 1:41 pm #85697AgamemnonParticipantDalton Keene (DL, Illinois State) just agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Rams. Very disruptive player who impressed a lot of teams at the East/West Shrine Game.
— Brett Tessler (@TesslerSports) April 28, 2018
Southeastern Oklahoma State TE Codey McElroy, who played pro baseball and college basketball at #okstate, has signed as undrafted free agent with the LA Rams, per his father. #okpreps
— Jacob Unruh (@jacobunruh) April 29, 2018
I’m proud to announce that I have signed with the Los Angeles @rams – Excited to pursue my dream of playing in the NFL. Ready to work! pic.twitter.com/4Nnthwhv8x
— Ricky Jeune (@RickyRosayy5) April 29, 2018
Steven Mitchell -WR
Ricky Jeune – WR
Laquvionte Gonzales – WR
Codey McElroy -TE
Jeremiah Kolone, OL
.
Dalton Keene- DE/DT
McKay Murphy- 5 tech DE
Tegray Scales -ILB
Afolabi Laguda- Safety
Steven Parker- Safety
Chucky Williams – S
.
and From tweet by Aaron Wilson, a beat reporter four the Houston Texans:
Luis Perez, QB, Texas A&M Commerce, minicamp invite Rams- This reply was modified 6 years, 6 months ago by Agamemnon.
April 29, 2018 at 4:22 pm #85702AgamemnonParticipantTexas A&M University-Commerce QB Luis Perez (@PerezLuisQB) is signing with the #Rams as an UDFA, per me.#NFLDraft
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 29, 2018
April 29, 2018 at 4:30 pm #85704AgamemnonParticipantApril 30, 2018 at 9:22 am #85742znModeratorVery intelligent QB who sees the whole defense when he steps to the line. Got shades of Romo and Rodgers with his command at the line and reads. Workaholic who constantly trains. Accurate and smart with the ball. Still working on his strength but looked much better in training https://t.co/0OyFFCoQTV
— Birddog26 (@Birddog26) April 28, 2018
—
April 30, 2018 at 10:11 am #85748znModeratorjrry32 sez:
From what I have seen, UDFA ILB Tegray Scales has the talent to stick. Why wasn’t Scales drafted? Because he’s 6’0″ 230 pounds with short arms and a 4.7 40.
What did Tegray Scales do as a starter the past two years in the Big 10?
2016: 125 tackles, 24 TFLs, 7 sacks, 1 Int and 1 FF
2017: 89 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 6 sacks, 2 Ints, and 0 FFsPretty damn good production in one of the best conferences in college football. Tegray Scales likely isn’t a future superstar in the making, but he can play.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tegray-scales-1.html
Look at Wade’s starting LBs his final year in Denver. They were Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis. Marshall was a 5th round pick of the Jaguars. The Jaguars cut Marshall multiple times during his rookie season to put him on the Practice Squad, and they finally cut him before the start of the regular season going into his second year. Todd Davis was an undrafted free agent. That means that Wade’s two ILBs were a guy who couldn’t make the Jaguars (back when they were crappy) and a former UDFA. Yet, both guys performed admirably.
Wade gets quality play out of overlooked players because he knows how to identify exactly the skill-set that is maximized in his defense. Tegray Scales has that sort of skill-set, and he’s a guy who should thrive on special teams
I doubt Scales starts in 2018 unless we have a lot of injuries, but he does have the talent to compete for a starting job down the line. It’ll be interesting to see how many ILBs they keep. We have at least 6 guys worth of a roster spot (Barron, Littleton, Kiser, Wilson, Hager, and Scales).
April 30, 2018 at 6:53 pm #85778canadaramParticipantOurlads Guide on Rams UDFA, S, Chucky Williams:
Three-year starter from Hialeah, FL. Has good size for the position and could project to a hybrid/nickel. He is imposing in the deep middle and can lay a big hit. Very aggressive in run support showing good take-on ability with a powerful stun with his hands. Tracks well moving downhill and adjusts to cutbacks. Leverages ball carriers to the sideline and has solid tackling skills. Shows blitz skill of the edge with a quick first step at the snap. In flat coverage takes good drops and can get in the throwing lane. Plays one high, quarters and half coverage. Quick in his pedal and plays with big cushion in the deep middle where he rarely gets beat. Matches up to verticals with the good technique to stay in phase. Quick on the throw with the play in front of him. A little tight hipped in transition. Straight line in his reactions. Prone to be grabby if a receiver is getting away from him. Extended speed is a question. As a deep zone player he is solid with an individual route. Versus multiple routes there is some hesitation at times reacting. As a middle safety he is not quick to transition to the deep outside. Will miss a tackle on occasion by under running the play. He fits as a box safety and potential hybrid sub package player. Special teams will be his Sunday ticket. 2017 stats: 80 T, 1 TFL, 5 PBU, 3 FF, 3 INT. Sixth/seventh round. (A-32 1/8, H- 8 3/8, VJ – DNP, SS – DNP).
April 30, 2018 at 6:56 pm #85779canadaramParticipantBrugler on Chucky Williams:
CHUCKY WILLIAMS | Louisville 6015 | 206 lbs. | rSR.
Hialeah, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic) 3/18/1995 (age 23.1) #22SUMMARY: A three-star recruit out of high school, Charles “Chucky” Williams played every skill position on the roster at Champagnat Catholic. He was recruited as both a wide receiver and defensive back, originally committing to Ole Miss before flipping to Louisville. Williams became the starting safety as a sophomore and posted three interceptions each of the last three seasons, recording a career-best 80 tackles in 2017. He lowers his shoulder and provides a thump at contact, but his open-field tackling skills are sloppy, stopping his feet and allowing the ballcarrier to make a move. Williams spends too much time spectating in coverage, waiting for throws before reacting, not showing much route anticipation. His ball skills as a former offensive skill player is evident on film, timing his attack and securing picks. Overall, Williams might be able to land a special teams role in the NFL if he cleans up his tackling mechanics, but he lacks ideal range or instincts to be a starter.
GRADE: Priority Free AgentApril 30, 2018 at 11:32 pm #85785canadaramParticipantOurlads on QB, Luis Perez:
Two-year starter and junior college transfer from Chula Vista, CA. Had a career year in 2017 by winning the Division II national championship, first-team All-America and the Harmon Hill Award as the top player in Division II. Played in a quarterback friendly spread offensive scheme where is throws kept receivers on schedule. Perez has an interesting back story where he did even play high school football then tried out for a local junior college and earned a scholarship to A & M Commerce. Accurate quarterbacks get up in the morning and can hit the spot where they are throwing. Perez has amazing short, intermediate and deep ball accu. His ball placement is precise and consistent. He has a natural feel in the passing game. The underrated passer has the ability to throw sideline passes from the opposite hash and the deep ball. He has a quick release and a consistent delivery of the ball. Has the touch to throw over the linebackers. Pressure is not a factor. Hangs in the pocket and makes plays. He is a developing prospect and a consistent producer. 2017 stats: 421/596, 4999 yards! 70.6%, 46 TD! 11 INT, 79 yds rushing, 1 TD. 169.2 QBR. Not invited to the Combine. Sixth/seventh round. (A- 31 3/8, H – 9 7/8, SS – DNP, VJ -DNP).
April 30, 2018 at 11:36 pm #85786canadaramParticipantWow. Ourlads makes Perez sound like a real diamond in the rough. Maybe he ends up on some NFL roster a few years down the road. Too bad NFL Europe no longer exists.
April 30, 2018 at 11:45 pm #85787znModeratorWow. Ourlads makes Perez sound like a real diamond in the rough. Maybe he ends up on some NFL roster a few years down the road. Too bad NFL Europe no longer exists.
Why not keep him as the Rams #3. (Assuming he works out.) If you’re down to your #3 you usually don’t expect much anyway.
In the article on him in this thread above, he is portrayed as a very quick study.
May 1, 2018 at 12:01 am #85789canadaramParticipantYeah zn, I agree with that. If they’re going to keep 3 QBs again this year I wouldn’t have a problem with them holding onto Perez if he earns it. I’m always so intrigued by UDFAs every year. Perez’s progress will be fun to watch.
May 1, 2018 at 11:43 pm #85803AgamemnonParticipantRams today officially signed 5 undrafted free agents: receivers Steven Mitchell (USC), LaQuvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) and Ricky Jeune (Georgia Tech), guard Jeremiah Kolone (San Jose St.) and defensive tackle McKay Murphy (Weber St.). More to come.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) May 2, 2018
May 2, 2018 at 11:29 am #85813znModeratorFormer Edisto QB Tyrell Maxwell invited to Rams rookie camp [as a running back]
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb senior and former Edisto High School star quarterback Tyrell Maxwell earned an invitation to the Los Angeles Rams’ rookie mini camp Monday evening and will report to team workouts in May.
Maxwell posted impressive numbers as quarterback for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, but will have his NFL opportunity as a running back. The 6-foot-2, 231-pound standout runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range and is more than capable of carrying the football – or blocking – at the next level. He was the first Big South quarterback to post two 700-yard rushing seasons.
During his four seasons in Boiling Springs, Maxwell enjoyed one of the most prolific careers as a ball carrier in program history. A former Shrine Bowler after his career in Orangeburg as a Cougar, Maxwell carried the ball 590 times for 2,938 yards and 22 touchdowns in 43 games at GWU – establishing numerous school and Big South Conference marks for rushing by a quarterback.
Maxwell finished No. 2 on the Gardner-Webb career rushing list, regardless of position, trailing only Hall of Famer Darrell Middleton. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry for his career, and led GWU in rushing in each of his final three seasons. Maxwell posted 12 different 100-yard rushing games for his career as well.
The dual threat quarterback passed for 4,055 yards and 25 touchdowns, with his yardage total ranking ninth in program history.
Maxwell was named 2016 Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year after a breakout campaign as a junior and was the first GWU quarterback to earn first-team All-Big South honors since Stan Doolittle in 2009. Maxwell also earned second-team FCS All-America honors that season from Hero Sports.
During his three seasons as Edisto’s starting quarterback, he amassed 8,095 yards and 93 touchdowns as one of The T&D Region’s most consistent offensive leaders, playing for current Orangeburg Prep head football coach Andy Palmer. During his high school career, Maxwell also competed in basketball and soccer.
Maxwell joins former teammate Chad Geter (Arizona Cardinals) as Gardner-Webb products in NFL rookie mini camps this offseason.
May 2, 2018 at 11:32 am #85814znModeratorFormer Edisto QB Tyrell Maxwell invited to Rams rookie camp [as a running back]
May 2, 2018 at 3:00 pm #85817AgamemnonParticipantBreaking down the Rams' undrafted free agent class
Breaking down the Rams’ undrafted free agent class
By: Andrew Ortenberg | 22 hours ago
The Los Angeles Rams may have made 11 draft picks, but they weren’t done there. One of the most exciting parts of every draft week is the feeding frenzy that happens right after the draft ends for the top remaining players who went undrafted. The Rams were active in the market and came away with several of the top names. Here’s what to know about each signee, as well as their odds of making an impact with the Rams:
LB Tegray Scales – IndianaScales was one of the most sought-after UDFA’s, and a guy pretty much everybody expected to be drafted. Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline had a fifth-round grade on Scales, as did NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. Zierlein even stamped him with a “chance to become an NFL starter” label and compared him to Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall.
A media first-team All-Big Ten selection his senior year, Scales was considered by most to be one of the better inside linebackers in the class. He’s a good athlete who can both stop the run and cover well but is a bit undersized, which is likely the reason he went undrafted. He surely had his pick of teams across the league and must have felt he had a good shot to make the Rams.
With Alec Ogletree gone and Mark Barron recovering from shoulder surgery, Scales should get plenty of time on the field to show he belongs during the offseason programs. With incoming fifth-round pick Micah Kiser almost a lock to make the team, he’ll likely be battling it out with 2015 seventh-round pick Bryce Hager and the recently signed Ramik Wilson for a roster spot.
TE Codey McElroy – Southeastern Oklahoma State
McElroy is one of the more fascinating stories of this year’s draft. He’s a 25-year old prospect who’s only played one season of football since middle school.
He first played college baseball, and was drafted by the Braves. After a short stint in their minor league system, he walked on at Oklahoma State and played division one basketball. After doing that for a year, he briefly was a college baseball coach before deciding to use his last year of eligibility to try football at Division 2 Southeastern Oklahoma State. There he caught only 14 passes for 173 yards this past season, but he’s clearly a dynamic multi-sport athlete.
Despite extremely limited experience, the Rams clearly saw enough athletic potential in the 6-foot-5 McElroy to give him a shot. If he shows well enough in camp, he’s an ideal candidate for the practice squad.
WR Steven Mitchell – USC
After playing a small role his first three seasons as a Trojan, Mitchell blossomed into USC’s third-leading receiver his senior year, catching 41 passes for 644 yards and four touchdowns.
Mitchell wasn’t really seen as a candidate to get drafted, in part because of his injury history. He’s had two knee surgeries over the past couple of years and wasn’t ever able to stay on the field consistently until this past year. He’s been very impressive in the classroom, earning a bachelor’s degree in just three years and completing a masters degree all while dedicating himself to football.
He’s a good athlete, very fast, and clearly very intelligent. An NFL scout told Zierlein that Mitchell “really runs well. I can’t see him getting drafted because he’s always hurt. If he stays healthy all camp, he could make a team because of that speed.”
The Rams are stacked at receiver, but if he stays healthy Mitchell has the tools to potentially make the team as the sixth receiver if he can beat out Mike Thomas and Fred Brown. If he doesn’t make the team, Mitchell will be a strong candidate for the practice squad.
Safety Steven Parker – Oklahoma
Parker was a very highly touted recruit out of high school. Rated a top-ten safety recruit in the nation by most recruiting services, Parker would play right away at Oklahoma. He was named defensive freshman player of the year by Big 12 coaches and would go on to start the next three seasons.
He was used on all special teams units at Oklahoma which will help his chances of making a team. He’s not very fast, which is likely what caused him to go undrafted, and he’ll have an uphill climb to make the Rams. He might have a shot because the Rams are currently a little thin at safety behind starters John Johnson and Lamarcus Joyner. The Rams will be replacing Cody Davis and Maurice Alexander from last year’s opening day roster, and if Parker can show he can be a special teams standout, he could make it.
He’ll be joining a familiar face at the Rams’ rookie camp in his college teammate Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who the Rams took in the fourth round.
DT Dalton Keene – Illinois StateKeene is a small-school FCS prospect who put up big numbers and received many accolades against inferior competition, but whose game might not translate well to the NFL. Zierlein views him as somewhat of a tweener, someone who’s too small and weak to play inside at defensive tackle, but who’s not quick enough to kick out and play defensive end.
With the depth the Rams now have at both defensive end and defensive tackle, having added to both positions in the draft, it would be a shock if Keene somehow manages to make the team.
After three colleges in four years, he lands with the Rams who are taking a shot on him based mostly on his speed. With the Rams not selecting a receiver in the draft, Gonzalez will be battling it out with Mitchell and a couple returning young players for the last receiver spot/practice squad spots. It’s early, but Mitchell would seem to have a leg up on Gonzalez at this time as the better pro-prospect.
QB Luis Perez – Texas A&M CommerceThe last member of the Rams’ undrafted rookie class is Perez, a Division 2 quarterback. Perez is an interesting prospect because he didn’t even play high school varsity football. After attending a junior college and starting out ninth on the depth chart, he transferred to A&M Commerce and immediately thrived. He put up insane numbers, throwing for 5,001 yards and 47 touchdowns with a 70.6 percent completion rate his senior year.
Perez was very accurate in college, but scouting reports question his arm strength and ability to put zip on his passes. He’ll start out fourth on the Rams’ depth chart behind Jared Goff, Sean Mannion, and Brandon Allen. The Rams have never seemed that high on Mannion since he joined the team in 2015, and have no real attachment to Allen. As such, it wouldn’t be a shock for the team to move on from one of them and keep three quarterbacks with Perez making it if he has a strong camp.
The more likely scenario would be Mannion sticking as Goff’s backup, Allen being cut, and Perez being signed to the practice squad. Either way, it’s an interesting signing and one to keep an eye on due to his absurd statistical production in college.
The bottom line:Overall, it’s a pretty solid class. Scales definitely has the highest pedigree and is the only one who was nearly universally expected to be drafted. The Rams clearly identified several positions where they wanted extra bodies and made them a priority, bringing in multiple safeties, wide receivers, and defensive tackles.
There are a few players with cool stories and a few prospects to really get excited about as prospects. Even with eleven incoming draft picks, at least one or two of them should make the team, and it will be interesting to watch them develop. The undrafted free agent is always one of the best stories in football, and you never know what diamond in the rough Les Snead is going to find next.
DT McKay Murphy – Weber State
Murphy is in a similar position as Keene. He’s also an FCS standout who earned first-team All-Big Sky his senior season who wasn’t seen as a candidate to be drafted.
Murphy is interestingly the son of longtime baseball player Dale Murphy, who won two MVP’s with the Braves during his 18-year career in the majors.
Murphy started his college career at Utah before transferring to Weber State after a redshirt year. Perhaps he and Keene will both be battling it out for a spot on the practice squad, but that seems to be both of their ceilings for now.
Safety Afolabi Laguda – ColoradoA team captain at Colorado, Laguda comes from a football family. Both of his brothers also played division one. He played one year at a junior college before transferring to Colorado and contributing each of the next three years.
After Johnson and Joyner there isn’t much to separate everybody else on the safety depth chart. As such, there will likely be a free for all in OTAs and training camp with about five young safeties fighting to prove themselves and secure roster spots. It should be one of the more interesting camp battles.
Safety Chucky Williams – Louisville
Williams was a three-year starter at Louisville who was extremely productive in college. Like the other safeties in this Rams class, he excelled on special teams and will have to show he can do the same in the pros.
Williams will be joining his college teammate Trevon Young, a defensive end who the Rams took in the sixth round.
The Rams clearly made safety a priority with their free agent signing class after not selecting any in the draft. They signed three and Parker, Laguda, and Williams will likely all be battling it out for one maybe two roster spots.
WR LaQuvionte Gonzalez – Southeastern UniversityGonzalez has had a long winding path to the NFL. After signing with Texas A&M as a four-star recruit out of high school, he transferred to Kansas after just two seasons with the Aggies. He was dismissed from Kansas prior to last season for a violation of team rules and transferred to the NAIA school Southeastern.
May 3, 2018 at 12:17 am #85833AgamemnonParticipantLos Angeles Rams
Rams Sign Seven Undrafted Free Agents
Posted 4 hours agoKristen Lago Rams Writer/Reporter @kristennlago
Following the 2018 NFL Draft — where the Rams acquired 11 college prospects — Los Angeles has signed an additional seven rookie free agents to its roster.
At least one of the Rams’ undrafted free agents has found its way onto the team’s 53-man roster in each of the last seven seasons and several have come to impact the franchise in significant ways. Linebacker Cory Littleton (2016) and running back Malcolm Brown (2015) are two such examples from recent history.
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PHOTOS: Phase Two, Day Three
In any case, the new additions will help to bolster the team’s roster throughout the duration of the offseason. Check out the full list of players below and be sure to stay with therams.com as more UDFAs are added to the roster.LaQuvionte Gonzalez | WR | Southeastern
Gonzalez may have played at Southeastern for just one season, but it was a record-setting one. The wideout caught 60 passes for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns for single-season program records in all three categories.
Ricky Jeune | WR | Georgia Tech
Jeune led the Yellow Jackets in receptions for the past three seasons, catching a total of 74 passes for 1,492 yards and 11 touchdowns. In his three years as a starter, the wideout averaged 20.2 yards per catch and was known for being the team’s top physical, go-route receiver.
Jeremiah Kolone | G | San Jose State
Kolone was a two-time honorable mention All-Mountain West player throughout five seasons with the Spartans. The versatile lineman has experience at both guard and center and finished off his college career with 36 consecutive starts.
Curtis Mikell | DB | Southern Miss
Mickell started his college career at Southern Miss as a wide receiver, before transitioning to the secondary. In his final two seasons, he was a disruptive force in the defensive backfield — finishing with 85 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and three interceptions en route to second-team All Conference USA honors.
McKay Murphy | DT | Weber State
The first-team All-Big Sky defensive tackle was a two-year starter for the Wildcats. In 2017, he helped Weber State to its best season in school history, finishing fifth in the conference in tackles for loss (14) with 40 total tackles.
Steven Mitchell | WR | Southern California
The California native was one of USC’s most productive receivers last season, finishing with 41 receptions for 644 yards. A string of injuries kept him off the field for the better part of three seasons, but his impressive speed and separation ability should set Mitchell apart on field.
Tegray Scales | LB | Indiana
Scales’ most impressive season came in 2016 during his first year as a starter. Not only was the inside linebacker named a team captain and MVP, but he also led the country with 23.5 tackles for loss (7.0 sacks) and topped the Big Ten with 126 tackles. He followed that performance with an impressive senior campaign, recording a team-high 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks.
May 3, 2018 at 8:23 am #85848znModeratorMcKay Murphy Freak athlete son of Dale Murphy the baseball player. 6-4 300 4.81
McKay Murphy | DT | Weber State
The first-team All-Big Sky defensive tackle was a two-year starter for the Wildcats. In 2017, he helped Weber State to its best season in school history, finishing fifth in the conference in tackles for loss (14) with 40 total tackles.
from https://nesn.com/2018/04/nfl-rumors-patriots-have-interest-in-intriguing-small-school-d-lineman/
At 26, Murphy is much older than a typical draft prospect. He served a two-year LDS mission after high school and then redshirted at Utah before landing at Weber State in 2014.
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Weber St DL McKay Murphy, son of Atlanta Braves baseball player Dale Murphy, 295 pounds, 4.81 speed, 40 bench reps, draws interest from 20 teams, including Texans, since big Pro Day workout. Teams interested in him at several positions, including DL, OL, FB and TE
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 18, 2018
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from http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/04/steelers-showing-interest-in-small-school-defensive-linemen/
Team scouts were impressed with Weber State DL McKay Murphy’s workout, according to our source, held back on March 28th….jumping 31 inches in the vert, and 7.2 in the three cone, impressive numbers across the board. … At the end of his workout, Steelers scouts had him go through offensive line and fullback drills too.
May 3, 2018 at 8:56 am #85850AgamemnonParticipantTeam scouts were impressed with Weber State DL McKay Murphy’s workout, according to our source, held back on March 28th….jumping 31 inches in the vert, and 7.2 in the three cone, impressive numbers across the board. … At the end of his workout, Steelers scouts had him go through offensive line and fullback drills too.
He could play center. 😉
May 4, 2018 at 3:14 pm #85893canadaramParticipantRams sign UDFA, S, Ramon Richards out Oklahoma State.
Brugler on Richards:
RAMON RICHARDS | Oklahoma St. 5111 | 187 lbs. | SR
SUMMARY: A two-star recruit out of high school, Ramon Richards (ruh-MOAN) was a quarterback (1,630 yards passing, 26 total touchdowns) at Brackenridge, also earning all-district honors in basketball and qualifying for states in track. Recruited as an athlete, he held offers from Harvard and Yale, but committed to Oklahoma State, his lone power-five offer. Richards moved to the secondary in Stillwater and was pressed into action at cornerback, starting 23 games there his first three seasons. He moved to safety as a senior, which was basically an inside corner role vs. Big 12 spread teams. A light-footed athlete, Richards plays tight coverage and puts himself in position to contend throws. He is willing in run support, but his lack of size and strength could be a deal-breaker in the NFL. Overall, the “undersized, but scrappy” nickel corner is a football cliché, but the description fits Richards, who rarely missed opportunities to make plays in coverage or on special teams.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent -
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