Five Oklahoma football players were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. But that does not necessarily shut the door on other former Sooners who aspire to continue their careers at the next level.
UDFA – Un-Drafted Free Agent
Following the NFL Draft, college football players who didn’t hear their names called still have an opportunity to make an NFL roster through the NFL’s undrafted free-agent route. Often, players will receive phone calls from NFL franchises offering them a limited opportunity to come to a tryout and attempt to make the team’s training camp roster. It’s a long road for these free agents but better than no road.
The path to training camp is long for an undrafted rookie free agent. They have to prove themself time and time again throughout the Summer, and that’s before training camp even starts. Once these rookies get to training camp in August, they will see limited time on the practice field, so they must make the most of their opportunities.
The following Oklahoma Sooners have received an undrafted free-agency contract to try out for an NFL team. I have no doubt that the following list of Sooners will make the most of their opportunity and see themselves in the NFL for years to come.
Jalen Redmond – Undrafted free agent – Carolina Panthers
Jalen Redmond – Defensive Tackle
Midwest City, Ok (Midwest City HS)
6’3” – 292 lbs / Redshirt Junior
2022 Stats: 10 solo-tackles / 23 total tackles / 4.0 sacks / 7 quarterback hurries
#Panthers agree to terms with undrafted rookieshttps://t.co/pW6mAojFVC
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 30, 2023
C.J. Coldon – Undrafted free agent – Minnesota Vikings
C.J. Coldon – Cornerback
Belleville, Il (Althoff Catholic HS – University of Wyoming)
5’11” – 185 lbs / Redshirt Senior
2022 Stats: 25 solo tackles / 43 total tackles / 4 interceptions / 6 pass breakups
Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2022
The #Vikings have agreed to terms with 15 undrafted free agents.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 30, 2023
📰: https://t.co/LRIETEfxmy pic.twitter.com/INxQ5AdaYK
Justin Broiles – Undrafted free agent – Chicago Bears
Justin Broiles – Safety
Oklahoma City, OK (John Marshall HS)
5’11” – 195 lbs / Redshirt Senior
2022 Stats: 34 solo tackles / 72 total tackles / 1 interception / 2 pass breakups
Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2022
Ryan Poles & Coach Eberflus are live at the podium@Hyundai | #BearsDraft https://t.co/gseQehjHUH
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 29, 2023
Chris Murray – Undrafted free agent – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Murray – Offensive Guard
Palmdale, CA (Mater Dei HS)
6’2” – 308 lbs / Redshirt Senior
2022 Stats: Started all 12 regular season games at right guard for the Sooners (skipped Cheez-It Bowl).
Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2022
Michael Turk – Undrafted free agent – Miami Dolphins
Michael Turk – Punter
Missouri City, TX (Ridge Point HS)
6’2” – 231 lbs / Fifth year Senior
2022 Stats: 63 punts / 46.7 yard average punt
We have signed a punter🚨
— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) April 30, 2023
Michael Turk from Oklahoma is coming to South Florida for the summer. Fun fact: he put up 25 reps on the bench at the combine and ran a 4.8s 40yd dash. FOR THE BRAND @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/MsA2nNb7Pw
Good luck to all of the Sooner players entering their pro careers. If they utilize the same work ethics we saw in Norman, they will find success. These undrafted free agents have an opportunity that few college football players get. Having a chance to make an NFL roster is rare. These were incredible players at OU and incredible athletes in general. I look forward to seeing them prove the NFL franchises who overlooked them wrong. Good luck men.