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Home , Akeem Davis, A Football Life, Brent Grimes, Chad Johnson, Chris Ivory, Harvey Unga

About Undrafted

Every year, thousands of players leave school with dreams of pursuing a career in the . Of those thousands, 256 players are selected in the NFL Draft. The remaining – the Undrafted – must convince coaches, executives and the pro football community they deserve a coveted roster spot on an NFL team.

NFL Network’s Undrafted goes inside the lives and tells the inspirational stories of these athletes as they try to fulfill their football dreams. The series follows the players – on and off the field – as they prepare for, and perform in, the NFL's Regional Combines (an alternative showcase for lesser-known college players), their schools’ respective Pro Days and NFL training camps. These events have taken on greater importance in recent years as numerous undrafted players – including XLIX hero Malcolm Butler () – have earned important roles on pro rosters.

This is the third season of Undrafted – a series which premiered in 2014 to critical acclaim, becoming nominated for a Sports Emmy in the prestigious “Outstanding Documentary Series” category. Undrafted is co-produced by the NFL Media’s Original Content Group in association with Mandalay Sports Media and DG West.

Undrafted 2016 Programming Schedule

The third season of the Emmy-nominated series Undrafted will premiere on NFL Network on Tuesday, September 13 at 8:00 PM ET. Each hour-long edition of the eight-episode series will air on Tuesday through November 1, and will re-air Tuesday at 12 Midnight ET and Wednesday at 10:00 PM ET.

Provided below is the broadcast schedule for this season of Undrafted:

Episode 1

NFL Network Premiere – 9/13 at 8:00 PM ET Encore Presentation – 9/13 at 12:00 AM ET & 9/14 at 10:00 PM ET

Episode 2

NFL Network Premiere – 9/20 at 8:00 PM ET Encore Presentation – 9/20 at 12:00 AM ET & 9/21 at 10:00 PM ET

Episode 3

NFL Network Premiere – 9/27 at 8:00 PM ET Encore Presentation – 9/27 at 12:00 AM ET & 9/28 at 10:00 PM ET

Episode 4

NFL Network Premiere – 10/4 at 8:00 PM ET Encore Presentation – 10/4 at 12:00 AM ET & 10/5 at 10:00 PM ET

Episode 5

NFL Network Premiere – 10/11 at 8:00 PM ET Encore Presentation – 10/11 at 12:00 AM ET & 10/12 at 10:00 PM ET

Episode 6

NFL Network Premiere – 10/18 at 8:00 PM ET Encore Presentation – 10/18 at 12:00 AM ET & 10/19 at 10:00 PM ET

Episode 7

NFL Network Premiere – 10/25 at 8:00 PM ET Encore Presentation – 10/25 at 12:00 AM ET & 10/26 at 10:00 PM ET

Episode 8

NFL Network Premiere – 11/1 at 8:00 PM ET Encore Presentation – 11/1 at 12:00 AM ET & 11/2 at 10:00 PM ET

Additional NFL Network Original Programming

A Football Life

The Emmy-nominated series returns to NFL Network for a sixth season in 2016. Premiering on September 16, A Football Life airs every Friday at 9:00 PM ET on NFL Network. The NFL Network original program examines the iconic individuals that have had a lasting and undeniable impact on the history of the National Football League and the sport of professional football. A Football Life showcases the lives and careers of legendary players, coaches and executives while examining the untold stories of the most influential NFL icons. Each film tells the story of how their legacy is forever intertwined in the fabric of NFL history.

A Football Life premieres September 16 at 9:00 PM ET and is narrated by Josh Charles.

Subjects for 2016 include:

 Steve Smith Sr.   Kevin Greene 

The Timeline

The expanded, 10-episode season of the ground-breaking series airs Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network, premiering September 14. Throughout the 2016 NFL season, the hour-long episodes of The Timeline produced by NFL Films chronicle seminal moments that formed the NFL’s storied past, shape the present and, in some cases, set the stage for the future.

Among the subjects featured this season on The Timeline:

 How the NFL handled the tragic events of September 11, 2001  ’s time with the Washington Redskins  The Fog Bowl between the and  The ’ 0-26 start to their franchise  ’s preparation for his record-setting 2013 season

Jeremiah Allison

Hometown: , CA

High School: Dorsey High School

College: Washington State University

Position: Linebacker

Honors: 2014 All State Good Works Team, 2014 All- Pac-12 Honorable Mention

Photo: Washington State University Athletics/Washington State University Athletics (action shot)

Growing up in Los Angeles, , Jeremiah Allison was born to Lucille Allison. As a linebacker at Dorsey High School, Allison was named to MaxPreps Division 1 All California First Team twice and was rated the number 74 prospect in the West by Scout.com. In 2011, his mother had a heart attack that put her in a coma before dying shortly thereafter. A WSU staff member, Dennis Simmons, took him under his reigns and has been coaching him—as a man— ever since. In Allison’s sophomore season, he appeared in all 13 games, tallied seven tackles and one . Following his junior season – when he recorded 78 tackles and 8.5 tackles-for-loss – Allison was recognized as a member of the All State Good Works Team and All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention. As a senior, he finished with 97 tackles, of which 5.5 were tackles-for-loss. He fulfilled his mother’s promise and graduated college with degrees in political science and criminal justice before turning his focus to his pursuit of a career in the NFL. After running an unofficial 4.3 40-yard dash time at his Pro-Day, Allison looks forward to getting a call from an NFL team.

Quotes:

WSU Mike Leach:

“He’s always been smart. He’s a high-energy guy. Jeremiah’s got optimism all over him, and I think it translates to the players, as their level of play has steadily improved.”

“Jeremiah’s got some pretty big aspirations. He’s building his experience and his portfolio as well as reaching out. I’m sure that some of that (community service) has to do with giving back in the same fashion that he’s appreciated.”

Mike Bercovici

Hometown: Calabasas, CA

High School: Taft High School

College:

Position:

Honors: 2015 Pac-12 Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Three-time Pac-12 All-Academic (2015: Second Team; 2014, 2013: Honorable Mention) Photo: ASU Athletics/Bruce Yeung (action shot)

Born on February 9, 1993 in Northridge, California, Mike Bercovici attended William Howard Taft Charter School in Woodland Hills, California. In high school, he was ranked by PrepStar as the No. 7 quarterback recruit in the country and number 91 overall. After redshirting his sophomore season at Arizona State University, Bercovici saw prominent playing time after ASU’s starting quarterback was injured in 2014. His 998 passing yards in his first two career starts are an NCAA record. As a redshirt senior in 2015, he was voted team captain, awarded the Lee Roy Selmon Community Spirit Award, earned Pat Tillman Outstanding Achievement Award and was the 2015 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. After proving that he can start for a college team in 2015, Bercovici knows he has what it takes to be drafted. He is not only out to make his parents, Susan and Ben, proud, but to prove to NFL teams that he is worth investing in. Bercovici is currently on the Chargers’ roster.

Quotes:

ASU Head Coach Todd Graham:

“I don’t know if I’ve ever coached a kid that I think it means more to than Mike. I know one thing: If I was an NFL coach, that’s the kind of quarterback I’d look for – a guy that’s not just talked about character, but has demonstrated it by his walk.”

Taft High School Head Coach (at the time) Matt Kerstetter:

“He’s always had as quick of a release as I’ve seen on a high school quarterback and his arm strength has always been good.“

Mariel Cooper

Hometown: Sumter, SC

High School: Sumter High School

College: The Citadel

Previous: South Carolina State

Position: Defensive back

Photo: Marjorie Maxon/The Citadel Athletics (action shot)

The son of Wanda Cooper and Dennis Wise, Mariel Cooper was born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina. His mother convinced his first football coach that he wasn’t too small to play, and that sums up a lot about his life. Growing up in an impoverished neighborhood, Cooper sought to make his mom and his brother, Destin, proud. After being cut in his sophomore year of high school, he returned and was named to the All-State list the next two years as a defensive back. Cooper attended South Carolina State University, where he won two MEAC Championships and received a degree in civil engineering. He transferred to The Citadel in his senior season and only five days after stepping onto campus, Cooper received a call that Destin, his best friend and brother, had died in a car accident. He dedicated his senior season to his brother. Cooper went on to record 30 tackles, eight pass breakups and one that season. Cooper is currently on the Washington Redskins’ roster.

Quotes:

South Carolina State University and The Citadel defensive backs coach Joel Taylor:

“He was already motivated but when Destin passed I suspect he took it to another level…I give him a lot of credit for the success we had.”

“He always wants to learn, wants to get better. He’s never satisfied. He’s always had that hunger to get better on the field and off the field. Coop always wanted to do something with his life. He saw the bigger picture.”

Jakeem Grant

Hometown: Athens, TX

High School: John Horn High School

College: Tech University

Position:

Honors: Two-time All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention (2013, 2014),

Photo: TTU Athletics/TTU Athletics (action shot)

Jakeem Grant was born on October 30, 1992 in Athens, TX to Sylvia Whittaker and Keith Grant. Grant attended John Horn High School is Mesquite, Texas where he was a three-star recruit. He went on to play wide receiver at Texas Tech from 2012 to 2015. While at TTU, he earned All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention honors twice, broke a school record and earned a spot on CBS Sports’ second-team All-American list. During his career at Texas Tech, he amassed 254 career receptions, 3,286 career receiving yards and 27 career receiving . He graduated from Texas Tech University, and has three children – son Jakeem Grant Jr. and twins Kaylie and Kylie. Grant is undersized, but knows that he has what it takes to be in the NFL. At his Pro Day, he ran the fastest time ever for a 40-yard dash, clocking in at an unofficial 4.10 (official 4.37). He uses his height, his family and his talent as motivation to make it on an NFL roster. Grant was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Dolphins.

Quotes:

Texas Tech Head Coach :

“He’s the most difficult to in space that I’ve ever been around. The first guy’s never going to make him miss. He’s so quick. He’s really added the physicality to his game when it comes to blocking the run game. He’s a special talent. Works hard, good kid. I’m really proud of him.”

“If you ask him, he’s 10 feet tall. That’s the way he carries himself. That’s the way he acts in the locker room. Just a special guy.”

LaQuan McGowan

Hometown: Amarillo, TX

High School: Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch

College: Baylor University

Position: Tight End

Honors: 2015 All-Big 12, Honorable Mention, 2014 (Spring) Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll

Photo: Baylor Athletics/Baylor Athletics (action shot)

LaQuan McGowan was born in , Texas to N’Teesha Smith on March 4, 1993. At Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in Amarillo, he paved the way for the school, becoming an All-State offensive lineman and being ranked the number 92 offensive lineman in the state according to ESPN.com. In his sophomore season at Baylor, McGowan had 22 knockdowns while playing in all 13 games. As a junior, he again played in all 13 games, recording a and helping the team win the Big 12 championship. He began his senior season at tight end, a new position for him. As a 6-7, 410-pound tight end he shocked the world as he earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention by tallying two touchdowns off of two receptions. His size may have helped him gain interest from national scouts, but it is something that he struggles to maintain. Because of this, he enters the NFL Draft as an offensive lineman, unaware of what the future might entail.

Quotes:

Baylor strength coach Kaz Kazadi:

“He's actually an extraordinary athlete. He really is. His only issue is, he's unique. And if you're unique, this a great place to be. Because Coach is going to find a way to play you.”

Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch chaplain Mike Wilhelm:

“LaQuan is a special person and it has nothing to do with his size. He's a big man, but he has a big heart, too.

Swayze Waters

Hometown: Jackson, MS

High School: Jackson Preparatory School

College: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Previous: CFL- (2012-2015), Edmonton Eskimos (2012), (2011), Oakland Raiders (2010), (2009)

Position:

Honors: 2007 First Team All-C-USA, 2012 Champion, 2014 John Argo Special Teams Award Photo: Toronto Argonauts/Toronto Argonauts (action shot)

Swayze Waters was born in Jackson, Mississippi to Susan and Joel Waters on May, 18 1987. He attended Jackson Preparatory School where he was played kicker, wide receiver and punter. Waters attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he was the kickoff specialist during his freshman year. During his final season at the school, he made 22 of 28 field goals (3-4 from 50+) and averaged 41.4 yards per punt. Waters went undrafted in 2009, but soon thereafter signed with the Detroit Lions. He was cut, re-signed and cut again before the 2009 season began. In 2010, he signed with the Oakland Raiders to only be cut again right before season began. Waters signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in February of 2011 and lasted until September 2, about a week short of the season opener. Waters decided it was time to go the . After a brief stint with the Edmonton Eskimos, he joined the Toronto Argonauts in July of 2012. He served as the team’s placekicker when they won the . He won the John Argo Special Teams Award for being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. At 29, Waters knows his time left is limited. He is determined to sign with an NFL team for the long run and to make it to an NFL season.

Quotes:

Toronto Argonauts general manager :

“We believe Swayze Waters has arguably the strongest leg in the CFL. He has been a reliable player for our team and is a proven competitor.”

Action Shots

Previously Featured on Undrafted

In the previous two seasons of the show, Undrafted has featured the following players:

2015 - George Farmer (WR, University of Southern California; currently on the ’ roster as RB) - Cole Jaeschke (QB, Upper Iowa University) - Harold Legania (DT, University of Minnesota) - Chad Toocheck (WR, University of West Alabama) - Troy Torrence (WR, St. Francis University) - Brandon Wegher (RB, University of Iowa & Morningside College; currently on the ’ roster)

2014 - Elijah Anderson (LB, Morehouse College) - Akeem Davis (S, University of Memphis; recently released by the ) - Terrance Lewis (WR, Alcorn State) - Nnamdi Obukwelu (DT, Harvard University) - Jonathon Sharpe (LB, North Greenville University) - Harvey Unga (RB, )

Famous Undrafted Players

Victor Cruz, WR

Signed by:

NFL seasons: 7 (active)

First year: 2010

Pro Bowls: 1

All-Pro selections: 1

Notes: In 2011 Cruz had the most receiving yards in a single season (1,536) for the New York Giants. Cruz is tied for the longest receiving touchdown in NFL history (99 yards against the ).

Kurt Warner, QB

Signed by: St. Louis Rams

NFL seasons: 12

First year: 1998

Pro Bowls: 4

All-Pro selections: 2

Notes: In addition to being perhaps the greatest Cinderella story in NFL history, Warner is a two-time league MVP who has posted the three best single-game passing yardage totals in Super Bowl history

Joe Perry, RB

Signed by:

NFL seasons: 14

First year: 1948

Pro Bowls: 3

All-Pro selections: 2

Notes: One of the most explosive inside runners in NFL history. Hall of Famer led NFL in rushing two seasons.

Tony Romo, QB

Signed by:

NFL seasons: 12 (active)

First year: 2004

Pro Bowls: 4

All-Pro selections: 4

Notes: Since 2006, Romo has the highest in the 4th quarter among NFL .

Malcolm Butler, CB

Signed by: New England Patriots

NFL Seasons: 2 (active)

First year: 2014

Pro Bowls: 1

All-Pro selections: 1

Notes: Famous for his interception at the goal line with 20 seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX, which virtually sealed the Patriots 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Undrafted Players Who Were Named to the 2016

POS PLAYER 2015 TEAM

S Mike Adams PK Dan Bailey Dallas Cowboys DE Michael Bennett Seattle Seahawks CB Malcolm Butler New England Patriots

FB Patrick DiMarco

CB Brent Grimes CB Chris Harris Jr. P Johnny Hekker St. Louis Rams

RB Chris Ivory New York Jets

OT Jason Peters Philadelphia FB Marcell Reece Oakland Raiders Mike Tolbert RB Carolina Panthers

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