RMAC Pro Football Roundup
Training camps in the National Football League are now in full swing, and the Arena Bowl kicks off this weekend, signaling the end of the AFL season. Let's take another look at how former RMAC student-athletes are doing. Seven players started NFL training camps recently. Five of those are rookies attempting to earn an opening day roster spot, and two veterans look to establish prominent roles on their respective teams. Below is the latest on how the RMAC is faring at the next level - complete with links to news releases on each player.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Jordan Campbell, N.M. Highlands - LB, Cincinnati Bengals (Twitter: @J_Campbell_COS)
Coming into training camp as an undrafted free agent, Campbell made an immediate impact in his first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 8. He came into the game on the Falcons' first possession of the fourth quarter and tallied one and a half tackles (one solo, one assisted) on his first four plays. Campbell is currently listed fourth on Cincinnati's depth chart at middle linebacker. Watch for him on TV as HBO's Hard Knocks follows the Bengals during their training camp this year.
SB Nation: Bengals OLB Preview | College Highlights | Bengals.com
Garrett Gilkey, Chadron State - OL, Cleveland Browns (Twitter: @gagilk73)
Gilkey's historic seventh-round pick by the Cleveland Browns marked the first time two RMAC players have ever been taken in the first seven rounds of the same draft. After the draft, he was the second of Cleveland's picks to sign with the team, inking a four-year contract. He projects as a guard in the NFL, and is currently working with the Browns' second team.
ClevelandBrowns.com | Cleveland Plain Dealer feature | ESPN: Hot Read
Tim Jenkins, Fort Lewis - QB, St. Louis Rams (Twitter: @TimJenkinsQB)
Jenkins signed a three-year contract with the Rams as an undrafted free agent after earning a tryout in the team's mini-camp. He is one of only four quarterbacks on the Rams' roster and will get every opportunity to join the 53-man roster for the fall.
Number One for a Day | stlouisrams.com | TimJenkinsQB.com
Ryan Jensen, CSU-Pueblo - C, Baltimore Ravens (Twitter: @sinjen66)
Jensen was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, making him the first RMAC draft pick in over two decades and the first ThunderWolf player selected since 1984. He signed a four-year contract with the Ravens shortly after the draft. He projects as a center for Baltimore. Jensen met with an unfortunate foot injury early on in training camp, sidelining him for up to 10 weeks.
Jensen Injury | BaltimoreRavens.com | Jensen Gets the Call
Abdul Kanneh, New Mexico Highlands - DB, Cleveland Browns (Twitter: @King_dul)
Kanneh successfully completed mini-camp with Cleveland in the spring and was rewarded with an undrafted free agent contract in May. His preseason debut with Cleveland saw him participating in three of four quarters, as he recorded two assisted tackles against the St. Louis Rams. He appears to be having success at making plays on the ball during training camp, and he was listed fourth on the Browns' depth chart at cornerback going into the first preseason game.
Browns defensive back preview - ESPN.COM | ClevelandBrowns.com | Eastern Arizona Highlights
Hayden Smith, Metro State - TE, New York Jets (Twitter: @Hayden_Smith_)
Smith, an athletically gifted former Metro State basketball player-turned-professional rugby player-turned-NFL tight end, got married in the offseason and looks to build on his first season in the league, where he saw action in five games. He is expected to battle fellow sophomore Konrad Reuland for the third spot on the team's depth chart. He was an active participant in New York's opening preseason game Friday, Aug. 9 against the Detroit Lions, but did not catch a pass.
Latest NewYorkJets.com Interview | ESPN.com - Jets tight end preview | NewYorkJets.com profile
Danny Woodhead, Chadron State - RB, San Diego Chargers (Twitter: @danny__woodhead)
Now beginning his seventh year out of college, Woodhead earned a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers in March. Recovering from an undisclosed offseason injury, he returned to practice on Monday and looks to climb the depth chart from where he currently sits third. Woodhead will most likely see plenty of playing time regardless of his depth chart position, as his versatility makes him hard to keep off the field.
Chargers.com feature | Woodhead Blog | Chargers.com Infographic
ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Wesley Mauia, Western New Mexico - MLB, San Jose Sabercats
Mauia played in four games, recording 4.5 tackles including a sack, before being placed on inactive reserve by the Sabercats.
ArenaFootball.com
Marc Schiechl, Colorado Mines - MLB, Spokane Shock
Playing in all three phases of the game, Schiechl saw limited action in 14 contests this year. He recorded seven solo tackles with 12 assists, and added 1.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick, and a three-yard touchdown reception. His season came to an unfortunate early end, being placed on injured reserve on July 19.
ArenaFootball.com
Rod Windsor, Western New Mexico - WR, Arizona Rattlers (Twitter: @roddagod13)
In Windsor's third AFL season, he stars for the defending champion Arizona Rattlers, who will defend their title in the 2013 Arena Bowl this Saturday, Aug. 17. He was the leading receiver on the league's best offense this year, grabbing 110 passes for 1,590 yards. His 43 all-purpose touchdowns (42 receiving, 1 rushing) was fourth-best in the league, despite sitting out two of 18 games. He also finished among the top 10 in the AFL for receiving yards per game (99.4) and receiving yards per catch (14.5).
Arizona Rattlers feature | ArenaFootball.com