Making a 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent is hard enough under the best of circumstances, but Davenport wide receiver Sy Barnett isn’t going to let the odds stop him. After all, just by signing a contract with the New Orleans Saints, Barnett has already become the first player in the history of Davenport University to sign a contract with an NFL team.
BREAKING NEWS
Sy Barnett has signed with the @Saints on a UDFA agreement following the NFL Draft! He's the first Panther to sign with an NFL team! Good luck chasing your dream. #DUWork #ProPanther pic.twitter.com/gx65lknMlv
— Davenport Panthers (@DUAthletics) April 30, 2023
Undrafted Free Agent Sy Barnett Is Already Making History
The History of Davenport University
By being the first player to sign with an NFL team, it’s safe to say that Sy Barnett is one of the greatest players in the history of the program, and he didn’t get to where he is today without a lot of hard work. Davenport’s football program began in 2016 and eventually earned a spot in Division-II competition. The program appears to be on the rise, as the team went 8-2 last year en route to a playoff appearance.
For what’s it’s worth, head coach Sparky McEwen believes believes that Sy Barnett has what it takes to continue his career at the professional level. Speaking to Mark Skol Jr., Davenport’s coach said that “[i]f I were a betting person I’m betting on Sy. He’s the real deal.”
Sy Barnett is a good football player – it’s impossible to earn a spot on a 90-man roster without having an absurd amount of talent. However, is he good enough to actually earn a spot on the 53-man roster?
Can Sy Barnett Defy the Odds?
According to Davenport’s official website, Barnett finished the 2022 campaign with 53 receptions for 694 yards and four touchdowns, all of which led the team. Interestingly enough, he also added some value as punt returner and even as a punter. While he probably won’t compete for that role, he could carve out a depth spot on offense.
Barnett’s most impressive trait is his straight-line speed, as he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash during the buildup to the 2023 NFL Draft and impressed with his overall athleticism during his Pro Day. While he’ll definitely need to learn the nuances of the wide receiver position, he has NFL-caliber traits and just needs some time to hone his abiliites.
Fortunately, the New Orleans Saints may be able to provide that opportunity for him. Chris Olave and Michael Thomas are firmly entrenched atop the wide receiver depth chart, so it’s not like Sy Barnett will face any pressure to see the field early in his career.
However, on the other side of the coin, the Saints currently have a lot of reliable wide receiver depth, and Barnett could struggle to earn a final spot on the roster. Rashid Shaheed looked great in a small sample, and fellow rookie A.T. Perry only fell to the sixth round due to attitude concerns. If he can keep his head on straight, he’s a Day 2 talent that should earn a spot on the team.
Barnett will probably need a season on the practice squad before he’s ready to contribute. However, if he can prove his worth as a punt returner, then perhaps he could steal the 53rd spot on the roster.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
