Indiana’s college players get opportunities with NFL squads
By PAUL SIEGFRIED
ISL Correspondent
A total of seven college players from the state of Indiana were chosen in the 2013 NFL Draft, which concluded Saturday with the final four rounds of the seven-round draft.
Notre Dame had six of those players drafted, led by tight end Tyler Eifert, chosen 21st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in Thursday’s first round. Eifert’s Irish teammate, linebacker Manti Te’o, was selected in Friday’s second round, 38th overall to the San Diego Chargers. The choice of Te’o ” who had been concerned a first-round lock throughout last season ” ended an offseason of speculation about the highly-decorated linebacker following his involvement in a fake girlfriend “catfishing” scheme and poor performances in both the national championship loss to Alabama in January and at the Combine in February.
Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short, who also was considered a late first-round choice, slipped into the second round as well, where he was picked 44th overall by the Carolina Panthers.
On Saturday, Notre Dame had four more players selected. Safety Jamoris Slaughter was first to go, picked seventh in the sixth round (No. 175 overall) by the Cleveland Browns. Running back Theo Riddick also went in the sixth round at No. 199 to the Detroit Lions, and defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore was selected one pick later by the Baltimore Ravens.
Lewis-Moore likely would have been chosen earlier, but a knee injury suffered against Alabama will keep him off the field at least for the start of the season.
In the seventh round, the Atlanta Falcons picked Irish safety Zeke Motta with the 244th pick overall.
”””
A number of state college players who went undrafted were signed by NFL teams following the draft.
Purdue had three players signed, with running back Akeem Shavers and quarterback Robert Marve being signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and cornerback Josh Johnson signing with the Chargers.
Indiana center Will Matte signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hoosier defensive lineman Adam Replogle signed with the Atlanta Falcons and defensive lineman Larry Black was signed by the Bengals.
Notre Dame had four other players join NFL teams as undrafted free agents, with running back Cierre Wood signed by the Houston Texans, center Braxton Cave going to the Cleveland Browns, and offensive lineman Mike Golic, Jr., signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Irish wide receiver John Goodman joined ND teammate Eifert in Cincinnati as Goodman signed with the Bengals.
Ball State tackle Austin Holtz was signed by the Lions.
Two state players from NAIA schools also were added to NFL rosters. Wide receiver Austin Coleman from St. Francis in Fort Wayne was signed by the Seattle Seahawks, and kicker Michael Josifovski of Marian in Indianapolis was signed by the hometown Colts.
