GREEN BAY (WLUK) – Friday reached the official beginning of Packers rookie camp where their eight draft picks and undrafted free agents begin their transition from college to the NFL.
Today was just a light walk thru for the players but all had interesting back stories to tell.
Day one of camp a lot like the first day of a semester as a student, going over policies, expectations, and taking a look at the schedule ahead. In case of the packers; a “get to know” you type interview session and you never know what you might find out.
“Malik Willis (Packers QB) is actually my cousin. I actually just saw him before I walked in here, like family welcome! Blessed to be on this team but also crazy I am on the same team as him,” said 7th round pick Micah Robinson, cornerback out of Tulane.
Never before in franchise history has a draft pick already had there in-person public introduction before the start of rookie camp, let alone two in the same draft class. Such is the case for 1st and 4th rounders Matthew Gooden (WR) and Barryn Sorrell (DT) and to top it off were teammates at Texas.
“Literally riding to practice together everyday (at Texas) just talking about the grind, talking about what his dreams are and what my dreams are,” Sorrell reflected.
“Night before the draft we were looking outside to the city from where his hotel room was and just talking football. For us to get drafted on the same team, man it’s crazy we still talk about it today,” Golden said.
‘Just joking about it cause we were at walk-thru and like both taking the field; you see him and sees me it’s just kind of weird cause obviously last time we were practicing we were in burnt orange (Longhorns colors). Blessing we are both going through this critical time in our lives together,” Sorrell added.
3rd rounder wide receiver Savion Williams out of TCU seems like he is going to fit right in.
“Everyone was always asking – is there one team you would want to get picked by? I told them it would be Green Bay where I want to go. It’s a dream man, being a cheese head – I love being a cheese head!” Williams said, planning to buy one today.
Williams getting his cheese head, while 6th rounder Warren Brinson received a piece of German chocolate.
“From the guy that did my pick the German guy. He said it’s the best chocolate in Germany. Can’t read it so I am going to google translate this all after this but this is awesome!” Brinson said of the gift.
The defensive tackle out of Georgia was sure not camera shy, evident right away at the podium.
“Microphones, a lot of lights, how I look guys? Look good, look good!”
Saturday they’re going to hit the practice field joining the other undrafted rookies, one of whom is out of Milwaukee J.J. Lippe (Northern Illinois guard). Of course the lifelong Packers fan was a little star struck moment when he walked in the facility.
“et myself down from cloud nine and just be ready to roll,” Lippe said.