Considered a high-end talent entering the NFL Draft, troubled former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla had to sit through the draft without hearing his name called. The wait continued through the early goings of the undrafted free agent period.
Colt Lyerla signs with Packers as undrafted free agent
The Packers are rolling the dice on the talented but troubled tight end, who went undrafted after walking off the Oregon team last season.
Thearon W. Henderson
Lyerla's wait is finally over. He has signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers following a tryout at the team's minicamp over the weekend, according to Acme Packing Company.
There’s no question the Packers picked up a big-time athlete in Lyerla. At 6’5, 246 pounds, he tore it up at the NFL Combine, posting the best tight end numbers in the 40-yard dash, the vertical jump and the broad jump. In his second year at Oregon he had 25 receptions for 392 yards and six touchdowns.
He entered his junior season with high expectations, but abruptly quit the team on Oct. 6, calling his departure a “personal decision.” That was the beginning of a rough month for Lyerla, who had his driver’s license revoked on Oct. 11 after a string of driving tickets and was arrested on Oct. 23 for cocaine possession.
NFL Draft and Aftermath
The Packers could use the help at the position despite using a third-round pick on Richard Rodgers out of Cal. They're without veteran option Jermichael Finley, who is on the free agent market after suffering a career-threatening injury last season.
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