Occasionally, buried deep in the late rounds of the NFL draft, you can find some amazing stories. Enter Josiah Ezirim and the New Orleans Saints.
Ezirim played college football at Eastern Kentucky. He transitioned from a defensive lineman to an offensive tackle. He showcased significant improvement and earned third-team Associated Press FCS All-American honors.
His draft status was uncertain, however. Next Gen Stats had him rated as an “average backup” as a prospect.
So when he received a phone call this past Saturday, he could hardly contain himself. Video posted to social media shows Ezirim shaking quite a bit as he talks on the phone.
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New Orleans Saints Make Josiah Ezirim Very Happy During The NFL Draft
Who was Josiah Ezirim on the phone with? According to TMZ, “his new coach” with the New Orleans Saints.
“Thank you so much,” Ezirim can be heard saying. “You won’t regret this!”
It’s when he hangs up that the awesome gets cranked up to 11. This is why sports are so great. The little-known athletes who fans aren’t likely to know about in the 7th round. But whose selection means everything to them.
Watch this!
This was the very moment when The Saints came marching into our Family. Josiah Nnamdi Ezirim …DRAFTED! pic.twitter.com/tkflMcTyew
— Emmanuel E-Doggy Ezirim (@ezirim3) April 28, 2024
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Late-Round NFL Greats
How great is that?
“Let’s go!” Ezirim yelled and was likely heard from blocks away.
Who knows what we might get here? Will this feel-good moment be the height of Josiah Ezirim’s NFL career? Or will he make a contribution to the New Orleans Saints?
That remains to be seen. But the NFL Draft has certainly seen its fair share of late-round picks who become contributors to their new teams – if not stars outright.
Tom Brady was very famously a sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL draft for the New England Patriots. He became one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
Ever heard of Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, or Bart Starr? 9th round, 10th round, and 17th(!) round picks respectively.
Granted, it’s going to be a lot harder for an OT to make a huge splash in the NFL. Four-time Super Bowl champion Jesse Sapolu though, might be a better illustration of what is possible.
Regardless, congratulations to Josiah on this incredible moment. And best of luck in the NFL!
