I was sure that I was going to get drafted. Heck, I was even sure as to who would pick me. The Palm Beach Solar Bears were the only ones to show real interest in me, mentioning something about a power running game that I'd thrive in. I just didn't know where.
I had kind of a down senior season at Northwestern State, which didn't have the greatest players facing them, so of course wasn't expecting to go in the first few rounds, so I was prepared to play the long game and wait patiently for my name to be called. Second round rolls around and the GMs have to pick their own guys... and the Solar Bears GM just so happens to have the best tight end in the class. That's a bit of a gut punch, but hey that just means me and him can be an effective 1-2 punch at the position, like Gronk and Hernandez but with less murder. No problem, I'm still their guy.
Round 7, and we're at about the earliest I thought that I'd go, and the Solar Bears do go tight end. Michael Roos, TE, Minnesota. What is going on? Did I blow the combine? Were they just gonna move on without me? No one else even made a glance at me, was I about to go undrafted?! It took another 45 minutes for my name to come off the board, but it felt like a lifetime. Each pick felt like a personal betrayal. But finally...
15th round, 86th pick. Dan Wright, TE, Northwestern State. To the Solar Bears
The madlads took three tight ends in a single draft. They were true to their word and saved me from having to be a walk-on again. At least I didn't have to wonder what my number was gonna be. If it was available, I'm taking 86 as a constant reminder of this. I may've gone late, but I sure as hell won't play like it.
I had kind of a down senior season at Northwestern State, which didn't have the greatest players facing them, so of course wasn't expecting to go in the first few rounds, so I was prepared to play the long game and wait patiently for my name to be called. Second round rolls around and the GMs have to pick their own guys... and the Solar Bears GM just so happens to have the best tight end in the class. That's a bit of a gut punch, but hey that just means me and him can be an effective 1-2 punch at the position, like Gronk and Hernandez but with less murder. No problem, I'm still their guy.
Round 7, and we're at about the earliest I thought that I'd go, and the Solar Bears do go tight end. Michael Roos, TE, Minnesota. What is going on? Did I blow the combine? Were they just gonna move on without me? No one else even made a glance at me, was I about to go undrafted?! It took another 45 minutes for my name to come off the board, but it felt like a lifetime. Each pick felt like a personal betrayal. But finally...
15th round, 86th pick. Dan Wright, TE, Northwestern State. To the Solar Bears
The madlads took three tight ends in a single draft. They were true to their word and saved me from having to be a walk-on again. At least I didn't have to wonder what my number was gonna be. If it was available, I'm taking 86 as a constant reminder of this. I may've gone late, but I sure as hell won't play like it.
![[Image: YiIFAGN.png]](https://i.imgur.com/YiIFAGN.png)
