IOWA PARK, Texas (KAUZ) – Despite going undrafted this weekend, one college football player from the Texoma-area has received the opportunity to prove himself in the National Football League (NFL).<\/p>\n
After the 2026 NFL Draft concluded Saturday afternoon, former Iowa Park football player Jaydon Southard received invitations to participate in the upcoming rookie minicamps for the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs. He\u2019ll join Jacob Rodriguez, former Rider High School quarterback and Miami Dolphins\u2019 fourth-round pick, as the second player to try his shot at the professional level this year.<\/p>\n
Southard, a linebacker from Stephen F. Austin State University, played on the Iowa Park teams that made consecutive area round playoff appearances in 2020-21. During those seasons, he also played running back.<\/p>\n
Malachi Naef, Iowa Park\u2019s defensive coordinator, said it was a big deal for Southard to have grown up in Iowa Park and then go on to receive invitations from NFL teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cA hometown boy going to a minicamp at the NFL-level… I mean, the whole town is fired up for him,\u201d Naef said.<\/p>\n
Southard\u2019s high school offensive coordinator, Tyler Duggins, said the accomplishment is a testament to the player\u2019s hard work and character.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s about as solid of an individual as it comes,\u201d Duggins said. \u201cHe\u2019ll work his butt off and he does everything you ask him to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
NFL rookie minicamps last three days and have typically taken place during different windows in the first two weeks of May. This year, teams will be able to hold theirs on either May 1-4 or 8-11. Specific dates for each team\u2019s minicamp are yet to be announced.<\/p>\n
As for Southard, he will look to use these invitations as a pathway toward more opportunities in the league.<\/p>\n
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