Former Shepherd Rams defensive end Elijah Norris and offensive lineman Lavonte Hights signed undrafted rookie free agent deals with the Chicago Bears. Defensive end Myles Humphrey signed an undrafted rookie free agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens, while quarterback Connor Jessop signed a deal with the Washington Redskins. (Photo Courtesy of Sporting News).

Four Shepherd football players receive chance of making NFL rosters

The NFL Draft took place from Thursday evening, April 26, and lasted until Saturday evening, April 28, in AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. While no Shepherd football players were selected in the draft, four members of the Shepherd Rams football team did sign undrafted rookie free agent deals with three different NFL teams, giving them a chance to fulfill their aspirations of playing professionally. 

Former defensive end Elijah Norris and offensive lineman Lavonte Hights both signed undrafted rookie free agent deals with the Chicago Bears and will take part in the Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp.  

Myles Humphrey, the school’s all-time sack leader, signed a deal with the Baltimore Ravens and will attend the Ravens’ rookie minicamp.  

Quarterback Connor Jessop will report to the Washington Redskins’ rookie minicamp and attempt to make the roster of the organization after signing an undrafted rookie free agent deal with the team.  

Last season, following the 2017 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles signed former Rams safety Tre Sullivan and tight end Billy Brown. Sullivan and Brown both became Super Bowl LII Champions with the Eagles following Philadelphia’s 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. 

Norris, Hights, Humphrey, and Jessop will all have to fight hard to earn a roster spot, but they have all reached a starting point of reaching their dreams of playing in the NFL.  

Information from the Chicago Tribune, and the Twitter accounts of Jason Dumas and Wise Athletics were used in this report.  

Anthony Bracken is the sports editor of The Picket. He can be reached at abrack02@rams.shepherd.edu   

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