Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By Chris Marler
Over 250 players heard their name called during the NFL Draft last weekend in Pittsburgh. But for another group of undrafted free agents, their journey is just beginning. Here’s a list of former SEC players that found a home in free agency with an NFL team despite not being drafted.
Oklahoma RB Jadyn Ott – Kansas City Chiefs
There’s probably not a player on this list I feel stronger about than Ott. He struggled to see the field at Oklahoma for whatever reason. Now he will go to a league where production is all that matters. He has plenty of that on his resumé dating back to his time at Cal. He also put up one of the most impressive combine performances and RAS scores for any running back in this year’s draft class. He’s a 4.46 runner with over a 40 inch vertical and 10-foot-11 inch broad jump. He’s incredibly explosive and his 1.53 10 yard split speaks to how much of a burst he has. Ott will get a fresh start in Kansas City, and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t find his way on the field.
Jaydn Ott is a RB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.38 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 144 out of 2305 RB from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/oo6j6p47jD pic.twitter.com/M6z6PMbfsw
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 15, 2026
Texas A&M LB Taurean York – Denver Broncos
I was shocked to see York go undrafted. I probably shouldn’t have been since his size is a huge question mark for a lot of teams at just 5-foot-10 and under 230 pounds. The production and tape though should’ve been enough to hear his name called. York started for three seasons in the SEC at Texas A&M. He finished with over 70 tackles in each season and ended his career with 229 career tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He will find a home somewhere.
LB Taurean York signed as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos
Has a chance to push for a spot on the 53-man rosterpic.twitter.com/v4ekhdVCGL
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) April 26, 2026
Alabama OL Jaeden Roberts – Philadelphia Eagles
This one may be a miss on my part, but Roberts feels like he fits in perfectly in Philly. He’s a freak of nature physically and was one of the strongest players in the draft. He had his struggles in run blocking but was the 24th ranked pass blocking guard in the entire country last season according to PFF. That was out of 686 players at the position. The Eagles love Alabama and Georgia players, and over 20 percent of their 53 man roster is composed of players from those two schools. Even if he’s not great in longer set running plays, he’s strong enough to move bodies in short burst situations. That sounds like an ideal member of the tush push formation if I’ve ever heard one.
Jaeden Roberts (6’5 335) Alabama
+ Well built frame
+ Feldman Freak List with a reported 525 lb. bench press, squatted 805 lbs, power cleaned 415, and hit over 19 mph on the GPS
+ Grip strength
+ Work ethic
+ Arm length (near 34”)
+ 87.5 pass block grade in 2025
+ Connecting… pic.twitter.com/uDXG3MO8O7— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 30, 2026
Georgia P Brett Thorson – Minnesota Vikings
Thorson’s name appeared on the “best available” players list from the sixth round on, yet he was never chosen. The Aussie born punter spent four years as the starter at Georgia and averaged over 45 yards per punt in three of those four seasons. He won the Ray Guy Award last year for the nation’s best punter. In 46 total punts on the season, only four were returned and for just 15 yards. He also landed over half of his punts inside the 20 and had over 30 percent of his punts travel 50 yards or more. He will be in the NFL for years.
The Minnesota #Vikings are signing UDFA P Brett Thorson from Georgia, per @_RyanFowler_. pic.twitter.com/UaYPDvQ9Ij
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 25, 2026
Georgia Tech QB Haynes King – Carolina Panthers
I know, I know. King isn’t an SEC player, but he used to be and he graduated from a school less than a mile from my old place in Atlanta before we moved to Baton Rouge. I make the rules. More importantly, I love Haynes King and what he does on a football field. King won’t be in contention for the starting QB job with Bryce Young having his best season as a pro a season ago, but he’s a coach’s dream in terms of his grit and style of play. He will stick around somewhere.
Haynes King isn’t being talked about enough in this pre-draft process… what am I missing?
My full interview with Haynes is live NOW! pic.twitter.com/MOmvNCK7OD
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) April 10, 2026
Best of the Rest
LSU WR Chris Hilton – Washington Commanders
I refuse to give up on my Chris Hilton stock even though it’s selling for pennies on the dollar. I watched Hilton in fall camp last year. I don’t know what happened during the actual season, but a 6-foot-3 wide receiver who can run a sub 4.4 is still a value add in the NFL. Plus, he’s going to be reunited with Jayden Daniels in Washington which may be good for everyone.
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