Arizona players shut out of NFL draft for second time in three years

By foxsports
Published

Arizona was one of the top programs in the nation last year. The Wildcats grabbed the nation's attention when they stunned No. 2 Oregon at Autzen Stadium. Arizona also earned a trip to the Pac-12 Championship game before earning a bid to the Fiesta Bowl.

Yet, no NFL team felt a single player from that roster was worth selecting over the weekend at the NFL draft. In fact, it's the second time in three years that no Arizona player is drafted.

As Daniel Berk at the Arizona Daily Star points out, there were 256 selections, and schools like Central Arkansas, William & Mary and Newberry College each had at least one player taken in the draft. Arizona? Not so much.

Four Arizona, however, players did the next best thing: sign as undrafted free agents. One player earned a rookie minicamp tryout invitation, according to the Daily Star.

Offensive tackles Mike Baucus signed with the Miami Dolphins and Fabbians Ebbele signed with the Green Bay Packers. Wide receiver Austin Hill signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Defensive end Dan Pettinano signed with the Houston Texans. 

Many felt Hill had the best chance at hearing his name at some point over the weekend. It never happened, but it's not wearing down Hill, who told Berk via text that he's "excited to work again."

(h/t Arizona Daily Star)

Photo Credit: Casey Sapio, USA TODAY Sports