LSU Football: Tigers boast most 2018 undrafted free agents
LSU football has long been an NFL powerhouse. Even in a down year the Tigers landed an impressive 15 players on NFL rosters following the NFL Draft.
Led by three second round selections, six former LSU Tigers were selected in the 2018 NFL Draft. Cornerback Donte Jackson (No. 55 overall, Carolina Panthers), running back Derrius Guice (No. 59, Washington Redskins), wide receiver DJ Chark (No. 61, Jacksonville Jaguars), edge rusher Arden Key (No. 87, Oakland Raiders), wide receiver Russel Gage (No. 194, Atlanta Falcons) and quarterback Danny Etling (No. 219, New England Patriots) all heard their names called. However, they won’t be the only Bayou Bengals that receive NFL contracts this spring.
Following the draft, the remaining pool of available players is granted free agency. That gives those players that weren’t claimed by a team to choose the team that offers them the best opportunity, whether that be financially or with a favorable depth chart.
Nine former LSU players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents this week:
- Christian LaCouture, DT (Baltimore Ravens)
- Corey Thompson, LB (Buffalo Bills)
- Kevin Toliver, CB (Chicago Bears)
- KJ Malone, OT (Houston Texans)
- J.D. Moore, FB (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Darrel Williams, RB (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Frank Herron, DT (New England Patriots)
- Toby Weathersby, OT (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Greg Gilmore, DT (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Several of those players, most notably KJ Malone in Houston and Darrel Williams in Kansas City, have a legitimate shot to make an NFL roster. Drafted or not, they’ve gotten a foot in the door. All that’s left to do is prove it on the field.
Next: Way-too-early college football top 25 rankings for 2018
Unfortunately for Coach Ed Orgeron, he won’t be measured against typical standards. His primary competition will always be the Alabama Crimson Tide. Just like on the football field, Nick Saban’s bunch topped the Tigers again, sending 17 players to the NFL this year (12 drafted, 5 UDFAs). All that can be erased with a win on the football field this fall, but that feet will take another influx of NFL talent.