University of Idaho football’s senior wide receiver Jeff Cotton is getting his chance to compete in the National Football League.
Cotton officially signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent after going undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft. In his senior season, Cotton led the Big Sky Conference with 88 receptions and the Football Championship Subdivision with 8.8 receptions per game.
“It just feels amazing. So much work, time and dedication has gone into this whole process and it has been a long hard process,” Cotton said. “To finally be able to say that I’m getting the opportunity to play in the NFL means the world.”
Cotton had the opportunity to talk to a Chargers scout during the Hula Bowl in January. Cotton and the scout kept in contact a few times after meeting.
“As we got closer to the draft, my agent told me (the Chargers) were one of the three teams I had a chance to go to,” Cotton said.
As Cotton prepares for NFL training camp in the summer, UI wide receiver coach Tony Spencer talked about Cotton’s signing with the Chargers. Spencer coached Cotton over his last two seasons at UI.
“Jeff wanted to play at the highest level,” Spencer said. “He went out and achieved it. He never took a day off and if you know anything about Jeff, he’s going to give you 100% in everything he does.”
During his time at UI, Cotton played in every spot a wide receiver can on the football field, including on special teams when he was needed.
“Jeff has played all five positions. Jeff played every receiver position in the slot and when scouts came in to look at him this year on film, that was one thing they said was that he was not pigeonhole to one position,” Spencer said.
Cotton is set to wear the number eight when he moves to Los Angeles for the Chargers this season. Cotton wore number 88 as a Vandal.
Armin Mesinovic can be reached on [email protected]