Connor Degenhardt was sitting in his Massachusetts home as rounds ticked down from the 2023 NFL Draft over the course of three days.
Division I football is the highest Degenhardt has ever played, having a spot at Holy Cross before going down to division II ball at the University of New Haven. He was hoping to have his playing ceiling changed from DI to the NFL and see his name on the TV screen.
As the final pick of the seventh round came in, the chances of being drafted were over for Degenhardt. A total of 14 quarterbacks were taken throughout the draft with Max Duggan, who was the TCU QB1 in the 2022 College Football Championship, being drafted in the seventh and final round.
Degenhardt didn’t have to wait long after the draft as shortly after he got a call from his agent. The Kansas City Chiefs invited him to rookie mini-camp. With that his playing ceiling is changing and now he has a chance at the NFL.
Standing at 6-foot-6 the QB1 threw for more than 4,500 yards with 50 touchdown passes to 10 interceptions, while also running things in for 21 touchdowns during his time with New Haven. A 18-5 record over his two year stay was accompanied by multiple playoff appearances and a Northeast-10 title.
Now the Massachusetts native is condenting for a roster spot with Kansas City. The former UNH QB1 is just one of 51 total rookies who are at mini-camp for the red and white team. The only quarterback competition in mini-camp for the Chief hopeful is former James Madison QB1 Todd Centeio.
Most likely the depth chart contention is for a QB3 slot or a practice squad placement. Nevertheless Degenhardt has NFL talent and can fit a quarterback spot on any team in the league.