Pindell, Buss Get NFL Tryouts
The Story: Although quarterback David Pindell and wide receiver Kyle Buss were not chosen in the NFL Draft over the weekend, they were offered a chance to try out in rookie minicamps.
Pindell will try out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their two-day rookie minicamp beginning May 10, and Buss will get an opportunity to try out for the Minnesota Vikings at their rookie minicamp this weekend.
NOTHING GUARANTEED: It’s difficult for an undrafted free agent to make an NFL team as a rookie, but it does happen. What’s even more rare for a tryout player to make it. The two will join their team’s draft picks, around a dozen undrafted free agents and at least 30 tryout players for the weekend sessions, which are meant to familiarize players with the NFL lifestyle through meetings, film work, individual instruction and scrimmages.
Thanks to all the fans and supporters and everyone who reached out to me that I haven’t got back to yet. I love you all and Appreciate you all a lot I’m excited about this and ready to get to work! #DP5 🖐🏾💙
— David Pindell (@davidpindell_) April 28, 2019
POSITION CHANGE? Pindell will try out as an athlete, which means a move to wide receiver is likely if he hopes to carve out a professional career. He could also get a look at quarterback and/or running back, but historically, moving to defensive back is unlikely for any player at this stage.
LONG ODDS: All of the draft picks will earn a ticket to training camp, so what’s really at stake is one of the dozen spots given to undrafted rookies, many of whom don’t even survive the cut from 90 players at the start of training camp to 53 players before the start of the regular season. If either Pindell or Buss were to impress their team’s coaches and scouts, the most they can hope for is signing an entry level three-year non-guaranteed contract.
Even then, an undrafted free agent is the least-valued player on the roster, so even if they were to have the best workout of his career, they could easily be bumped between now and late July for someone else. The door is open, but it’s not open very wide.
UConn and the FBI Probe
The Story: A former men’s basketball assistant, Raphael Chillious, met with individuals involved in the FBI probe of bribery in college basketball in a Las Vegas hotel room. The conversation was recorded by the FBI agent wearing a wire. Current UConn assistant Kenya Hunter, who was at Nebraska at the time of the sting, was also in contact with aspiring agent and fixer Christian Dawkins. Neither man has been charged or is suspected of being involved.
HUSKIES IN THE CLEAR: Don’t worry. UConn and Chillious were not involved in any apparent wrongdoing and are clear from NCAA and criminal investigations. The school knew a year ago that one of its assistants had met with a financial advisor and sneaker representatives that were under FBI investigation. The school conducted an investigation and notified the NCAA. No transgressions were found. That UConn had a coach in the room, though he received no money, still shows the size, scope and underbelly of college basketball recruiting. As for Hunter, there is no evidence that he received any bribe money and there has been no action taken against him.
WHAT IS THE SCANDAL ABOUT? There are several cases pending (and some resolved) that were brought by the FBI against Dawkins and sneaker company representatives. Dawkins would pay coaches, who in turn allegedly paid players and would introduce them to Dawkins for a possible business relationship when the turned pro.
STINK OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Nearly all major athletic programs have been tainted by this FBI probe in some way. The bribery scandal now looks like it may extend to football and the fallout from NCAA investigations figures to be felt for years to come. While many of the schools and coaches are not facing prosecution or NCAA scrutiny, there are still a lot of questions about how dirty recruiting is at the elite player level in college basketball.
Morning Reads
COLLEGE FREE AGENCY? The graduate transfer system is broken, as Randy Edsall again found out last month when Columbia defensive tackle Michael Hinton chose to pursue a graduate degree at Tulane rather than at UConn. (Hartford Courant)
HUSKIES ADD WR: Although they lost Hinton, the Huskies added a transfer in wide receiver Tim O’Shea III, who spent last season redshirting at Wagner. (Tim O’Shea III on Twitter)
GRIFFIN ARRESTED: Houston Texans tight end Ryan Griffin, drafted out of UConn in 2013, was arrested in Nashville and charged with vandalism and public intoxication after he punched out a window of a hotel on Friday. (The Tennesseean)
IN HUNT FOR A TITLE: Although they missed out on an NCAA championship, Christyn Williams, Megan Walker and Olivia Nelson-Ododa will compete at USA Basketball’s national three-on-three championship tournament this weekend. (The UConn Blog)
PROVEN COMMODITIES: Coach James Wade knows Katie Lou Samuelson will fit in well with the Chicago Sky because of his history of working with other former UConn players in the WNBA. (Hearst Connecticut Media)
TIME TO STEP UP: With only seven other scholarship players on the roster next season, Aubrey Griffin has a chance to make an immediate impact as a freshman on the women’s basketball team. (Hearst Connecticut Media)
THROWING DARTS: What is modern sports journalism if not for unfounded speculation? Regardless, here are a few women’s basketball players who have decided to transfer who could fit in at UConn next season. (Hartford Courant)
INTO THE SPOTLIGHT: Left-hander Mason Feole seems poised to be the next UConn pitcher chosen in the early rounds of the MLB draft. (Hartford Courant)
SAFE AT HOME: The baseball team will begin a seven-game homestand this afternoon when it hosts CCSU in a game that was originally supposed to take place last week. (UConnHuskies.com)
STADIUM NAMED: The new baseball stadium will be known as Elliot Ballpark after former baseball player and longtime donor Doug Elliot. (Hearst Connecticut Media)
HOCKEY HONORS: The men’s hockey team recognized Karl El Mir and Alexander Payusov as co-MVPs for this past season and named Benjamin Freeman and Wyatt Newpower captains for next season. (UConnHuskies.com)
AN EASY FINISH: Golfer Jimmy Hervol, arguably one of the best ever to play at UConn, has Shabazz Napier to thank for his decision to play for the Huskies. (Hartford Courant)
READY FOR MORE: After a three-game sweep of East Carolina, the softball team will play its final non-conference game of the season this afternoon when it hosts Quinnipiac. (UConnHuskies.com)
SEASON ENDS: The women’s lacrosse team wrapped up its season with a 17-7 win at East Carolina, but at 3-14 and 1-4 in the AAC, it did not qualify for the four-team conference tournament. (UConnHuskies.com)
