A 25-year-old, undrafted hooper who’s worked his way up from the bottom being mentioned in the same breath as one of the biggest pop stars in the world.

Source: https://deadspin.com/taylor-swift-lakers-nba-austin-reaves-team-usa-fiba-1850510533

After all, he was an undrafted free agent and he just completed his first professional season.

Source: https://triblive.com/sports/penguins-a-to-z-taylor-gauthier-moved-up-the-depth-chart/

After entering the league with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie out of Indiana State in 2017, the 6-foot-5, 237-pound tight end totaled 137 catches for 1,437 yards and 17 touchdowns in Green Bay.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/03/17/chicago-bears-free-agency-news-tight-end-robert-tonyan-and-running-back-donta-foreman-agree-to-1-year-deals/

All of the departures come after the Colts drafted 12 players and they’ll also need room on the roster for any undrafted rookie additions they plan to make.

Source: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/05/04/colts-waive-five-players/

An undrafted free agent out of LSU, Clark signed with the Steelers in 2006 after several seasons in Washington.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/04/dick-lebeau-reveals-the-most-unsung-steeler-he-ever-coached/

As it was then just as it is now, that was the largest contract for an undrafted player in NBA history.

Source: https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/old-fred-vanvleet-tweet-goes-viral-after-he-gets-huge-deal-from-rockets/617004

Broncos have waived undrafted rookie OT Demontrey Jacobs per source.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2023/8/29/23850843/broncos-waived-demontrey-jacobs

But the real gems can sometimes be found among the undrafted free agents and non-roster camp invites.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/2023/5/11/23718966/minnesota-vikings-minicamp-preview-a-look-at-the-new-talent-on-the-field

CU didn’t have any players drafted last weekend, but several signed as undrafted free agents, including Arias, who got a UDFA deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

Source: https://www.dailycamera.com/2023/05/05/former-cu-buffs-receiver-daniel-arias-getting-opportunity-with-arizona-cardinals-2/

Denver also brought Tyreik McAllister back (again) Monday after waiving him recently and has undrafted signee Jaleel McLaughlin, too, who rushed for 8,166 yards at Youngstown State.

Source: https://www.denverpost.com/2023/05/16/broncos-mailbag-sean-payton-rookie-minicamp-nathaniel-hackett/

Denver’s next possible undrafted rookie free agent gem?

Source: https://milehighsports.com/five-denver-broncos-players-on-offense-to-keep-an-eye-on-during-organized-team-activities/

Despite his college pedigree, the 2022 undrafted free agent already was a long shot.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffedotin/2023/10/27/the-nfl-future-of-chiefs-receiver-justyn-ross-is-now-very-much-in-doubt/

Elijah Dotson, an undrafted rookie from Northern Colorado, had 37- and 40-yard TD runs in the fourth quarter for the Chargers.

Source: https://wtop.com/nfl/2023/08/stetson-bennett-gets-his-first-nfl-action-for-the-rams-in-a-34-17-preseason-loss-to-the-chargers/

For example, undrafted, unheralded Gabe Vincent, all of 6-2, made six three-pointers for the Heat on Sunday in their 128-102 playoff annihilation of the Celtics.

Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/5/22/23733790/nothing-really-a-sure-thing-with-victor-wembanyama

Guidone signed an NFL contract as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens and is competing in the preseason for a roster spot.

Source: https://www.courant.com/2023/08/20/uconn-football-looks-to-have-offensive-line-unit-solidified-monday-with-options-at-center/

He went undrafted out of San Diego State in 2020 before becoming a rookie free agent with the Jags.

Source: https://triblive.com/sports/first-call-j-j-watt-nixes-talk-of-playing-in-pittsburgh-steelers-sign-top-xfl-corner-considering-former-pro-bowl-lb/

Hicks was a seventh-round pick last year and has two career starts, while Johnson is an undrafted rookie making his NFL debut.

Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023/9/17/23877518/bears-starting-safeties-eddie-jackson-jaquan-brisker-hurt-in-1st-quarter-vs-buccaneers

His journey as a previously undrafted free agent didn’t begin with the Saints game in 2020 but dates back to his college days at Wake Forest.

Source: https://milehighsports.com/denver-broncos-wide-receiver-kendall-hinton-embracing-role-growing-on-offense/

If the Cardinals or any other quarterback-needy team had claimed him, the Patriots would have been stuck with Jones and rookie Malik Cunningham, who went undrafted, unclaimed on waivers and attempted all of four passes this preseason.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/08/31/callahan-bailey-zappes-release-another-reminder-the-patriots-have-no-sacred-cows/

If you can get an undrafted rookie cornerback with the size of Art Green, 6’1”, 201 pounds who also runs a 4.36 40-yard dash, you make that deal.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2023/5/12/23721458/broncos-sign-15-college-free-agents