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5 rookies turning heads right away at NFL training camp

By Sravan Gannavarapu

Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami‐Fl defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (DB31) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami‐Fl defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (DB31) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: McKade Mettauer, #72 of the California Golden Bears, blocks Jamal Woods, #91 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of the RedBox Bowl Game at Levi’s Stadium on December 30, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: McKade Mettauer, #72 of the California Golden Bears, blocks Jamal Woods, #91 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of the RedBox Bowl Game at Levi’s Stadium on December 30, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

NFL Training Camp is in full swing, and some rookies who don’t have large names are making a big impact. 

It’s that time of the year when the NFL is busy at training camp. Rookies and vets return to work, hoping to be the last team standing in February. However, it’s the former group that tends to grab the most attention as they look to take a big step in their football life.

There is the group that heard their name called in April, and there is the other group who didn’t but made enough of an impression during the rookie minicamp that convinced coaches that they needed to come along for training camp and get a shot against the veterans.

Amongst the rookies are a few, drafted and undrafted, that stand out amongst the veterans and have them looking over their shoulders and thinking, “this kid is good.” Those kinds of youngsters not only shine out in preseason, but they make enough of an impression to be on the final 53.

Let’s visit five of those players; remember that both types of rookies are included.

NFL rookies turning heads: 5. Jamal Woods, Indianapolis Colts, DT

Huh? How can a UDFA with minimal stats in college suddenly get to the pros and make such an impact in rookie minicamp or training camp? According to James Boyd of The Athletic and Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, pre-assumptions amount to nothing.

"“His explosiveness, I think, in rookie minicamp is what jumped out at us,” Bradley said, per James Boyd of The Athletic. “We felt like even in the short period of time, just watching the drill work — obviously, his film work that we studied before, but the way he came in, the way he approached it and some of his explosiveness showed up in that short period of time.”"

Say what you want about Bradley as a head coach in Jacksonville; the man knows about explosiveness on the line of scrimmage and how it helps a team win games. If Woods can pick up a few tricks from the veterans on the Colts’ defensive line, who knows how long it will be before he reaches his full potential? So far, he’s shown something, or he wouldn’t be sticking around.

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