Being a late-round draft pick in the NFL can be tough between trying to make a strong impression on the coaches, let alone the dedicated fan base.
But, former Idaho star Kaden Elliss has been turning heads recently.
Outside of the die-hard fans who know the roster top to bottom, it seemed like a long shot for former Idaho standout Elliss to make a strong name for himself for the New Orleans Saints during the preseason and training camp.
The former Idaho star is making the most of this rare opportunity to play
at the next level that many only get to dream about.
Zack Kellogg
After the injury to Saints middle linebacker Alex Anzalone, which has left him out of preseason play thus far, the door opened for Elliss to get more in-game reps and to make his case to be on the final 53-man roster.
Some New Orleans sports writers have reported seeing Elliss spend significant time after practice ends continuing to work on making calls from his middle linebacker position and techniques to refine his game.
And it appears to be paying off during the 2019 preseason. Elliss earned
the highest amount of defensive reps for the second straight week, in the Saints 19-17 win over the LA Chargers, playing 38 snaps and recording a team-high six tackles.
Aside from the press, fans are also taking notice – which sometimes might be odd for a seventh-round pick – but with an electric and always positive personality, it’s not hard to see why people gravitate toward him so much.
Elliss doesn’t just spend time after practice working on his game.
In an interview with the Daily Advertiser, Elliss said when he arrives at the practice facilities at six in the morning, he sees his All-Pro and future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees taking time to go out and sign autographs for all the excited fans waiting to see their favorite team.
Elliss describes Brees as “one of the busiest men in the world,” and that if Brees can make time for the fans, then he can as well.
Speaking as a sports fan, there is no greater feeling than an athlete, who you admire, taking the time to acknowledge your passion.
Kaden Elliss with his family on senior day in 2018 Meredith Spelbring – Argonaut
Elliss even had an excited fan ask him to her homecoming dance, saying that he is her new favorite player.
When someone who plays at the highest level of the sport you love takes time to sign their name, it acknowledges that you are the reason that the game is what it is today.
All Vandals, current and former, want to see Elliss succeed and show what kind of talent he can be as a product of the football program from little Moscow, Idaho.
Elliss is doing everything he can to show his skills on the field. His genuine personality off the field through his interactions with fans and his great work ethic will hopefully lead to a long and exciting career for the former Vandal great.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected] and on twitter @kellogg_zack