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Three Ohio Bobcats earned chances to claw their way into NFL roster spots within just 24 hours of the draft coming to an end.
To kick things off for the ‘Cats, offensive lineman Mike McQueen signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers just minutes following the draft.
Blessed to sign as a FA minutes after the draft was over! Can't wait to get to work in San Diego with @Chargers pic.twitter.com/jBwz9rZjBh
— Mike McQueen (@imMikeMcQueen) May 1, 2016
Sunday brought camp invites for two more Ohio graduates in Ian Wells and Lucas Powell.
Wells signed on with the Detroit Lions to compete for a spot on the mediocre defensive backfield whose biggest name is Quandre Diggs. With his physicality to play bump and run coverage and five years in college of development, don’t be surprised to see Wells land himself on the 53 man roster in need of a cover corner come August.
Congratulations to Ian Wells (@eedub41_era) for signing with the #Detroit @Lions #BleedGreed #BobcatNation pic.twitter.com/QDcxHfC5xk
— OhioFootball (@OhioFootball) May 1, 2016
Powell became the sixth Ohio offensive lineman to reach the NFL since 2013 when he was added to the camp roster of the Cincinnati Bengals. Although a center at Ohio, Powell likely will be a guard in the NFL.
Congratulations to Lucas Powell (@Lucas_powell54) for earning invite to minicamp with the @Bengals #BleedGreed pic.twitter.com/UrTOStnGJN
— OhioFootball (@OhioFootball) May 1, 2016
Still looking for a contract is Ohio linebacker Jovon Johnson who had 40 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 10 games during his last season in Athens. Johnson is undersized for a linebacker in the NFL but showed his athleticism and hands with three interceptions, which could strengthen his case as a potential nickel corner and special teams asset.
Jovon Johnson working on the cone drill at pro day pic.twitter.com/2hRMBd5r7P
— OhioFootball (@OhioFootball) March 23, 2016