From Big Sky to the NFL – a list of former league standouts heading to the pros

FARMINGTON, Utah (May 2, 2023) – Following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft, double digit former football players from the Big Sky Conference were added to NFL rosters.

The 2023 NFL Draft, which saw Sacramento State’s Marte Mapu get selected with the 76th overall pick by the New England Patriots, was the not the end of the road for 14 former Big Sky football stars as the group earned undrafted free agent deals and rookie camp invitations over the weekend following the draft. 

Seven Big Sky teams were represented in the group of 14, as Cal Poly, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State and UC Davis all had former players get an opportunity at the next level. 

Montana and Montana State each had two former standouts sign priority free agent contracts while one each former Bobcats and Grizzlies eared rookie mini-camp invitations. Former Bobcat defensive backs Ty Okada and James Campbell each signed with the Seattle Seahawks within an hour after the NFL Draft ended on Saturday. Former Montana All-American linebacker Patrick O’Connell also signed a priority free agent deal with Seattle. And record-setting Griz kick returner Malik Flowers signed with the New Orleans Saints.

Other Big Sky schools with players who signed undrafted free agent contracts included: former Cal Poly wide receiver Chris Coleman signing with the Miami Dolphins, former Sac State and Northern Colorado running back Elijah Dotson signing with the Los Angeles Chargers and former UC Davis offensive lineman Nick Amoah signing with the Chicago Bears.

Former Northern Arizona cornerback Alonzo Davis (Kansas City) and NAU safety Morgan Vest (Bills, Giants) each received rookie mini-camp invites, as did former Bobcat linebacker Callahan O’Reilly (Chicago Bears) and former Griz cornerback Justin Ford (Baltimore Ravens). Sac State kicker Kyle Sentkowski, a multiple time All-Big Sky selection, received a camp invite from the Buffalo Bills.

A total of four former Portland State standouts will have a chance to make NFL teams as Anthony Adams (Seahawks), Beau Kelly (Dolphins) and Mataio Talalemotu (Titans) all earned mini-camp invites after signing free agents deals, while Xavier Bell earned camp invites from the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions.

The biggest splash of the weekend came when Sacramento State’s Mapu was selected on Friday night. The reigning Big Sky Football Defensive Player of the Year was taken by the Patriots in the third round. Mapu’s third-round selection marks the seventh-highest pick from the Big Sky since 2000 and the first player from the conference drafted by the Patriots since Northern Arizona’s Tom Gibson was taken by New England in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. 

Other third round picks in the 21st century out of the Big Sky include unforgettable names like former Eastern Washington star wide receiver Cooper Kupp and former Montana wide receiver Trumaine Johnson. Mapu was drafted ahead of Big Sky legends like former Weber State star Taron Johnson, who is still a starting defensive back for the Buffalo Bills and former Idaho State legend Jared Allen, who piled up more than 100 sacks in his NFL career.

Following Mapu’s selection, the Big Sky has now had four players drafted in the past two years, which is the most in a two-year span for the league since six were picked in the NFL Draft following the 2016 and 2017 seasons. 



Former Big Sky Football Players to Receive UDFA Deals/Camp Invites
Cal Poly
Chris Coleman, WR, Miami Dolphins
 
Montana
Patrick O’Connell, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Malik Flowers, WR/RS, New Orleans Saints
Justin Ford, DB, Baltimore Ravens (Camp Invite)
 
Montana State
Ty Okada, DB, Seattle Seahawks

James Campbell, DB, Seattle Seahawks
Callahan O’Reilly, LB, Chicago Bears (Camp Invite)
 
Northern Arizona
Alonzo Davis, DB, Kansas City Chiefs (Camp Invite)

Morgan Vest, S, Buffalo Bills & New York Giants (camp invite)
 
Northern Colorado
Elijah Dotson, RB, LA Chargers
 
Portland State              
Anthony Adams, DB, Seattle Seahawks (camp invite)
Beau Kelly, WR, Miami Dolphins (camp invite)
Mataio Talalemotu, WR, Tennessee Titans (camp invite)
Xavier Bell, DB, Philadelphia Eagles/Detroit Lions (camp Invites)

Sacramento State

Kyle Sentkowski , K, Buffalo Bills
 
UC Davis
Nick Amoah, OL, Chicago Bears