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Although undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, two Sam Houston State seniors will continue their careers in the NFL.
Graduating wide receiver Trey Diller became the newest member of the Carolina Panthers as teammate Dax Swanson signed his contract with the Indianapolis Colts Saturday. Diller and Swanson were signed as undrafted free agents.
Swanson impressed scouts in the fall becoming the new SHSU leader in interceptions, including picking off the 2013 Heisman recipient Johnny Manziel in College Station. The graduating cornerback received an invite to the 2013 NFL Combine in February, and despite an injured hamstring, recorded a 4.56 40-yard dash and a 33 inch vertical jump.
“It was already hurt before coming to the combine but I was 50/50 about it before it pulled,” Swanson said about his hamstring. “I wanted to give it a shot but unfortunately I re-tweaked it.”
Swanson improved his NFL chances in March at SHSU’s Pro-Day, running a 4.44 40-yard dash and recording a 33.5 inch vertical jump.
According to Swanson, 13 NFL teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins contacted him or his agent after the last round of the draft concluded. Swanson said the Colts are the right choice for him to develop as a player and as a teammate.
“They’ve been struggling with the secondary for a while so I saw it as an opportunity to come in,” Swanson said. “It’s a great organization for me to be a part of.”
Swanson received praise from fans on Twitter after announcing his decision to sign with the Colts.