Naz Bohannon invited to Jacksonville Jaguars rookie mini-camp

Clemson football only had two players drafted in the recent 2022 NFL Draft, but several Tigers have since signed free agent deals.

Meanwhile, Clemson’s Naz Bohannon only spent one season in orange for the men’s basketball team, but he made the most of his opportunities in the ACC by earning a shot at a pro career.

It just isn’t in the NBA….

https://twitter.com/ManagementShark/status/1520849516232073217

That’s right, Bohannon will get a shot at a pro football career. The Jacksonville Jaguars have extended an invitation to Bohannon to attend their rookie mini-camp this May. Bohannon was at Clemson’s pro day before the draft and met with teams in attendance. He was not able to work out due to the closeness to the end of the men’s basketball season. He played in 33 games for the Tigers in the 2021-22 season, averaging 21.2 minutes, 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds.

At 6-6 and 232 pounds, Bohannon has a good frame and size to play the position. He isn’t a stranger to football. He played football at Lorain High School in Ohio. He was recruited as a weak-side defensive end, and was offered a football scholarship by Michigan State, Pittsburgh and fifteen other teams before electing to play basketball at Youngstown State.

Jacksonville drafted seven players this past week, including #1 overall pick Travon Walker from Georgia. They also signed fifteen undrafted free agents, which included tight ends Grayson Gunter from Southern Mississippi and Gerrit Prince from UAB. Bohannon will have to impress new Jaguars head coach Doug Peterson to earn a contract to return for training camp as part of the 90-man roster.

This isn’t the first time Jacksonville has invited someone unexpected to try out for the team at tight end. In 2021, they invited Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow the opportunity to play tight end. He attended training camp before being cut.

I absolutely love that Bohannon decided to give this a shot and that Jacksonville decided to give him a chance. It pains me to do the responsible thing and take off my orange glasses and acknowledge that it is an extreme long shot that he will be offered a contract, but I do think Jacksonville is serious about checking him out. Tebow’s attempt to make the roster for his former head coach at Florida, Urban Meyer, wreaked of a publicity stunt. Bohannon isn’t a celebrity name, so giving him a shot doesn’t really bring the same kind of publicity. I think Jacksonville’s interest is legit, but the fact he has gotten a tryout instead of a UDFA deal puts their expectations for Bohannon in perspective.