It was a pretty good weekend for former Penn football players, as four members of the 2001 squad either signed with professional teams or were invited to this weekend's mini-camps.
On Saturday, offensive tackle Jeff Hatch was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the New York Giants. Hatch was the only Ivy League player selected and, at 78th overall, is the highest Penn draftee since defensive lineman Mitch Marrow was taken 73rd by the Carolina Panthers in 1998.
Just minutes after the draft ended, former Quakers running back Kris Ryan heard from the Detroit Lions, who signed him to a free-agent contract. The Lions also already have former Penn tight end Ben Zagorski under contract.
Former safety Kunle Williams wasn't signed to a contract, but was invited to the New York Giants' mini-camp this weekend.
And former quarterback Gavin Hoffman -- 2000 Ivy League Player of the Year and Penn's all-time leading passer -- was invited to this weekend's Philadelphia Eagles' mini-camp.
Hatch, who rocketed up the charts in the weeks preceding the draft, had been virtually assured of a selection. In fact, not one, but two camera crews were on hand at Hatch's Maryland home to document the former Quaker's draft-day experience.
CNN/SI was wrapping up its documentary on Hatch's life from graduation to draft day, while NFL Films was just beginning its documentation of Hatch's experience from his selection to the season's first game.
"I got mic'ed at 10:30 in the morning and was mic'ed all day until I got picked," Hatch said.
Just yesterday, Hatch had his first brush with the New York media.
"I was talking with this guy from the [New York] Post," Hatch said. "And I've never gotten more questions about being in the Ivy League.
"I think next time I go to a press conference, I'm going to go in with a cashmere sweater, a pipe and plaid pants."
Ryan isn't getting quite the attention that Hatch is, but the Ivy League's two-time leading rusher is happy to have caught on with a team.
"I felt like I was in pretty good position," Ryan said. "Even if I didn't get picked up in the draft, I thought I would get signed. The Lord really hooked me up."
Ryan was at home in Pittsburgh when the Lions called, but had to return to Philadelphia to finish a paper before heading off to Detroit for Friday's mini-camp.
Ryan knows that his best shot at staying in the league will be with outstanding special teams play.
"Special teams is definitely what I'll be concentrating on at first," Ryan said. "I played special teams a lot early in my high school career, and I played on all the special teams as a freshman [at Penn]."
Williams' best shot at getting a contract offer from the Giants is also probably on special teams. Williams didn't decide to try his luck in the NFL until earlier this year, but decided to give it a shot when he realized how well he stacked up against other prospects.
Hoffman could not be reached for comment. But, according to Hatch, if the former Quakers signal-caller doesn't catch on with the Eagles this weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs have invited him to their mini-camp the following weekend.
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