While the journey was not necessary ideal, Andy Schantz believes the final destination is just right.
The former Portland State linebacker hoped to be selected in this past weekend’s NFL Draft, figuring he might hear his name called sometime from the fifth to seventh round. However, that hope never came to fruition.
Instead, Schantz received a phone call from the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round explaining that they had no intention of drafting a linebacker but would like him to join the team as an undrafted free agent.
“I am definitely happy that yesterday is over,” Schantz said before exhaling deeply. “Being a free agent, I feel like I’ve been put in the best position possible.”
Schantz is not the only former Portland State player that was picked up Monday as an undrafted free agent to sign with an NFL squad, as cornerback Reggie Jones agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints and kicker Danny Urrego signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Quick and athletically gifted, Jones finished the 2008 season with four interceptions and 38 tackles, and Urrego connected on 15 of 23 field goals and averaged 40.5 yards per punt last season.
When Pittsburgh extended the invitation to the 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker late in the draft Sunday, asking him if he would like to join the Steelers, Schantz said he responded with a resounding “Yeah, I’m fired up about it.”
Schantz recognizes that he has a lot of work ahead of him if he hopes to repeat what a pair of former Portland State linebackers have done over the past two seasons: Make an NFL roster.
Jordan Senn made the Indianapolis Colts roster as an undrafted free agent last year and Adam Hayward survived training camp to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft two years ago.
Relying on a good friend and former teammate, Schantz conversed with Senn on Monday about the challenging road ahead.
“I don’t want to get too excited because there is a lot of work to do,” said Schantz, who led the Vikings with 115 tackles and 15 tackles for a loss last season.
Portland State head coach Jerry Glanville spoke with Schantz Monday, telling the soon-to-be rookie linebacker that he could not be happier for him and that the Steelers were an excellent fit.
In a few days Schantz will head east for the beginning of rookie camp, where he hopes to kick off his pursuit of making the Steelers roster with a couple impressive days of practice.
More than anything, Schantz feels that the Steelers are such a great fit because of the general mentality of the organization, which has won the most Super Bowls in NFL history with six.
“Their objective is to be champions every year,” Schantz said, “and that goes along with me.”