Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels UDFA Tracker
- Anthony Pagnotta
- Apr 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 30
The 2025 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday afternoon in Green Bay as the final four rounds came and went without a Tar Heel being selected. That means that Omarion Hampton, who was selected in the first round on Thursday night by the San Diego Chargers, is the only former player that was drafted in this year’s draft. The good news is that since the draft concluded,
OG Willie Lampkin- Los Angeles Rams
Lampkin was maybe the biggest surprise non-draftee for the Tar Heels and it makes sense that he was snatched up so quickly. This is a good landing spot for him, though, as he should have a shot to beat out KT Leveston or Justin Dedich for one of the guard spots or Beaux Limmer or Dylan McMahon for the center spot. It feels like with Lampkin’s work ethic, he has a legitimate shot to catch on here and be on the 53-man when it’s all said and done.
LB Power Echols- Chicago Bears
Echols was one of the first guys that was snatched up on the undrafted free agent market when he landed in Chicago. He will have some work to do to make the roster with a lot of depth in front of him but clearly he was a priority for the team. With Ruben Hyppolite drafted in the 4th Round, the expectation is that he and starter Tremaine Edmonds will make the roster so sticking on the practice squad or landing somewhere else should be Echols goal.
CB Alijah Huzzie- Houston Texans
Huzzie was one of the Tar Heel prospects that had a draftable grade on him so it’s not surprising he was snatched up as quickly as he was. He will have some work to do, though, when it comes to making this roster as a nickel considering the team drafted Jaylin Smith to go along with starter Jalen Pitre. He should he a prime candidate to be on the practice squad, though, especially if he can show his versatility.
TE Bryson Nesbit- Minnesota Vikings
Nesbit got his opportunity pretty quickly as well, meaning he might actually have a decent shot to make the roster. He will most likely have to beat out sixth round pick Gavin Bartholomew for the final tight end spot on the roster but crazier things have happened. Nesbit will have a legitimate shot at being a practice squad player, though, especially if he can stay healthy.
TE John Copenhaver- Jacksonville Jaguars
Copenhaver was added a bit later in the evening on Saturday and will have more work to do than his counterpart Nesbit to make the roster. The Jaguars will have six other tight ends in camp and he will have to find a way to outshine at least four of them to probably find his way on to the opening day roster, so making it to the practice squad would be an accomplishment.
WR J.J. Jones- Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones’ pickup means that his career at the college level has come to an end. Now his focus turns to latching on with the Jaguars, a task that is just as difficult as Copenhaver’s. The top five receivers seem to be a lock for the team, so that makes it very difficult to see him making the active roster. Getting to the practice squad would be a great accomplishment.
WR Nate McCollum- New York Giants
McCollum got his opportunity with the Giants on Sunday morning and as you would expect with that timing, he has a tough road ahead of him. Even if the Giants keep six receivers, they likely will only keep two slot receivers, which expect to be Wan’Dale Robinson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Catching on with the team’s practice squad or another’s would be a pretty nice accomplishment.
DT Jahvaree Ritzie- New England Patriots
Ritzie was the last to sign so far, joining the Patriots on Sunday night as a late addition for camp. As one of the late signees, he will have a lot of work to do if he wants to make the roster, especially with the team having drafted Joshua Farmer at the position on Saturday. The hope for Ritzie is that he can replicate the path that Jalen Dalton took in the NFL the last handful of years as a key practice squad member.
EDGE Desmond Evans- Tennessee Titans
Evans was another Sunday morning addition that has a lot of work to do to have any chance of making the Titans roster. The edge rusher spots are absolutely loaded after they drafted an edge rusher in the second round, so it’s hard to see any path on to the 53-man. Landing on a practice squad would be a major accomplishment for Evans.
DT Kevin Hester Jr.- Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City (Rookie Camp Invite)
Hester Jr. received camp invites from Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday after not being drafted over the weekend. Getting these invites are a huge for Hester Jr. and give him a decent shot to land on a training camp roster.
RB Darwin Barlow- Indianapolis Colts (Rookie Camp Invite)
Barlow received a camp invite from the Colts on Wednesday morning. He has work ahead of him just to make it to training camp, but the hope is that he can do enough to convince some team to bring him into training camp.
EDGE Kaimon Rucker- Philadelphia Eagles (Rookie Camp Invite)
Somehow, Rucker was not picked up as an undrafted free agent but he has gotten a camp invite from the Philadelphia Eagles. Making the Eagles roster might be tough considering the state of their edge rusher room, but it is not impossible. If he is fully healthy, Rucker should be able to land on a roster for training camp.
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