Five Connecticut Natives Are Headed To The NFL
Two CT natives were drafted while three are being signed as undrafted free agents.
The NFL Draft has came to an end yesterday, and when the sun set on Saturday, five Connecticut natives were signed to NFL rosters.
The first CT native to make a roster was Windsor High alum, Jason Pinnock. Pinnock was selected in the fifth round by the New York Jets to play corner back.
Playing high school football in Northern CT, Pinnock was a known name. My high school team played against him in passing league during the summers at Windsor High. While I was playing center, I watched many teammates of mine get abused on the offensive and defensive end of the ball by Pinnock.
In Pinnock’s four years as a Pittsburgh Panther, he recorded 54 tackles, 1 sack, 6 interceptions, and 25 pass breakups. The Jets got a real gem in Pinnock.
The next CT player to come off the board was jack of all trades full back, Ben Mason. The Ravens selected Mason in the sixth round and was the first full back taken in the draft.
While at Newtown High, he won the 2016-2017 Gatorade Player of the Year award.
Mason came to Ann Arbor, MI as a fullback but was transformed into a tight end, fullback, wing, defensive tackle, and linebacker. As a Wolverine, Mason recorded 119 total yards, 10 touchdowns, and 14 tackles.
I am very curious to see how the Ravens use Mason in either their offense or defensive schemes.
When the draft ended, calls were made and three more CT natives were signed to NFL rosters.
Tarik Black is a Hamden, CT native and was signed on Saturday by the Indianapolis Colts to catch balls from Carson Wentz.
Black played high school football at Cheshire Academy where he was a member of a high powered and loaded roster. He committed to Michigan before he transferred to the University of Texas.
As a Wolverine and Long Horn, he reeled in 50 catches for 747 yards and 3 touchdowns. It will be tough but I think Black can make the Colts roster and be a special teamer and fourth or fifth option on the Colts roster.
The next undrafted free agent out of the Charter Oak state is linebacker/safety hybrid, Tyler Coyle. Coyle, like Pinnock, is a Windsor, CT native and committed to home state UConn to play football before transferring to Purdue.
In his UConn career, he recorded 260 tackles, 3 interceptions, 18 pass break ups, and 2 touchdowns. After he transferred to Purdue he recorded 13 tackles and one pass break up.
Dallas is bringing in the Windsor high alum and if he balls out in camp will find his way onto the 53 man roster for the Cowboys.
The last CT native that was signed on Saturday was Greenwich high alum, Scooter Harrington. Scooter played college ball at Stanford University where he was a member of the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society.
While at Stanford, Harrington caught 17 passes for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Harrington agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears and could make the team as the third tight end behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham.
All in all, a pretty solid weekend for the state of Connecticut and when you pull back the curtain, can find a hot bed for elite football players.