Camdenton — The NFL draft is in the rear view, and many are judging their favorite teams’ selections, or offering opinions on the draft slide of Sheduer Sanders.
However, Camdenton native Paxton Delaurent is preparing for a rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted.
“He’s one of those guys that if he can just get his foot in the door, he’s got a chance to go and show what he can do. And this minicamp is that opportunity.”, said current Camdenton Head Coach, Par Pitts.
Success is the chief concern of Delaurent. His journey into the world of football started as a kid in Camden County.
“I remember running down the hallway saying I was Dante Hall scoring touchdowns. So it’d be pretty cool to get that into fruition.”, Paxton said.
The former Camdenton Laker has an opportunity to play for his favorite childhood team earning a rookie minicamp invite after impressing Kansas City scouts at the University of Missouri’s pro day.
“The chiefs were kind of the host team for that. So, they had stayed in contact since then and one of their scouts reached out a couple of days before the drafting and say, hey, I’m going to try to make something happen.”, Paxton recalled.
He has had to work for every opportunity on the gridiron. Delaurent started at central methodist before sending tape to other colleges that his mother recorded in the bleachers. He eventually landed at Southeast Missouri State University.
Paxton now has a chance to live his dream in his home state with elite company.
“To get the opportunity to stay in Missouri and to learn from the literally the best. Like, Andy Reid is the top coach of all time. Patrick Mahomes, no one’s done it better than maybe other than Brady. So, it’s like to just be around guys like that and opportunity to do that. Like it’d be a dream come true and to be able to develop myself as a young man and a football player.”, Paxton exclaimed.
Delaurent had a successful career at Camdenton, leading the lakers to two state quarterfinal appearances. He also set records in passing offense and total yards.
Coach Pitts sites a unique competitiveness in Paxton as well as a willingness to give back to the community that supported him at Bob Shore Stadium.
“He’s been in and around our program even as he’s in college because he comes home in the summertime and works with our guys and does a lot of good things within our program still.”, said Coach Pitts
Paxton said some of the high school kids have been running routes for him in preparation for the next level.
He’s determined to achieve greatness while leaving behind a strong legacy for future Lakers.
” I hope if anything, you know, I show people with great determination, belief, and I think a great faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you can do anything and everything that you say your mind to. So hopefully that’s a legacy I could have left behind.”, Paxton expressed.
“It definitely means a lot because football and Laker football is important to our community. So, we’re excited about him going and making the most of it.”, Coach Pitts stated.