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These 3 scrappy (training camp/preseason) players survived the first wave of Final 53 man cuts on Aug 31, 2021.
Will all of these players still be on the 53 man roster when Rams host the Bears on Sep 12?
DT Michael Hoecht
The Rams signed Hoecht as an undrafted free agent last year and stashed him on the practice squad for the entire season. As disappointing as it was for him to not make the active roster, it’s a testament to how the Rams view him that he maintained a spot on the practice squad for all 17 weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs.
Now with a full offseason of work – given last year’s restrictions due to the pandemic – Hoecht is a player for Rams fans to know in 2021. Defensive line trainer Eddy McGilvra works with Hoecht and other Rams during the offseason, and he says people shouldn’t sleep on the second-year player.
“Someone I think a lot of people don’t know of because he was on the practice squad, undrafted, is Mike Hoecht,” McGilvra told Rams Wire via phone recently. “His progression over this last offseason has been tremendous.
He’s moving 10 times better than I’ve seen him move. His pass-rush toolbox has grown. He’s added a lot of stuff.
He’s so powerful but has added a lot of finesse moves to his game now, which is going to help him combine that power into finesse-type chops and clubs and swipes. It’s hard to fill the shoes of Morgan Fox, because Fox was so valuable in that sense and so good at what he did, but you can see Hoecht kind of playing that role. He’s going to be playing over the inside of the tackle, shade the guard type of stuff.”
Hoecht is listed at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds on the Rams’ roster, which is slightly bigger and heavier than Morgan Fox, who’s 6-3 and about 260. But if Hoecht improved his quickness and movement skills, his bigger stature shouldn’t limit him as a situational pass rusher.
He’ll have some stiff competition in training camp from the likes of Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV, Eric Banks and Jonah Williams, among others, but Hoecht has as good a chance as any of those players to make the 53-man roster.
Keep an eye on him during camp and listen to what the Rams’ coaches have to say because he’s a sleeper along the defensive line.
Brown University defensive lineman Michael Hoecht has signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
Hoecht was not selected in the NFL Draft but retained a strong chance to further his career as a professional. He played in 37 games over his four-year tenure with the Bears, including 10 in each of the last three seasons. Hoecht broke the news on his personal Twitter page.
Hoecht is an Ontario native who emerged as a priority target on Canadian Football League draft boards. He posted a virtual combine workout video in March that showed a 4.65-second clocking in the 40-yard dash. The CFL Draft will be held Thursday and Hoecht checked in at No. 6 in the final rankings issued by the league’s central scouting bureau.
Hoecht is capable of playing tackle in a 4-3 defensive look or end in a 3-4 scheme. He made 174 tackles and totaled 16½ sacks with Brown. Hoecht was listed in his predraft work anywhere between 295 and 310 pounds.
Hoecht posted a career-high 69 tackles in 2018 and was generally disruptive up front, combining for 19 tackles for loss in his sophomore and senior campaigns. He also finished with four fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. Hoecht was named a second team All-Ivy League selection in 2019 and was a two-year team captain.
The Rams’ coaching staff includes a significant Rhode Island connection. Former La Salle Academy star Liam Coen is entering his third season with Los Angeles, all on the offensive side of the ball. Coen served as quarterbacks coach with the Bears in 2010 and added pass game coordinator to his title in 2012 and 2013 after a one-year stint at the University of Rhode Island.
Safety J.R. Reed
The Los Angeles Rams have signed former Georgia Bulldogs safety J.R. Reed to their practice squad. Reed was a first team Walter Camp All-American last season for the University of Georgia.
Reed went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft despite his accolades. He originally signed an undrafted deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they cut him before the season.
Reed will be reunited with former UGA defensive back Tyrique McGhee on the Los Angeles practice squad. Reed has the instincts and skill to compete in the NFL, but his physical traits have been questioned.
For Los Angeles Rams fans unfamiliar with J.R. Reed, they should know that they are landing a playmaker. Reed forced seven turnovers in three seasons with Georgia. He racked up 199 tackles during this time.
He’s a veteran who played in 42 games throughout his decorated college career Jacksonville Jaguars Reed signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2020. He was waived on September 5, 2020.
Los Angeles Rams On September 9, 2020, Reed was signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on November 23 and November 28 for the team's weeks 11 and 12 games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. On December 5, 2020, Reed was promoted to the active roster.
ugawire.usatoday.com
DE Jonah Williams
Apr 25, 2020 Rams sign Weber State’s Jonah Williams
After the University of Utah shuffled a handful more players into the NFL via the draft, the frantic signings of undrafted free agents kicked off Saturday evening as soon as the draft concluded.
The Los Angeles Rams scooped up Weber State defensive end Jonah Williams
Williams, a defensive end, was an All-American as a senior and the Big Sky Defensive MVP. He finished fifth in the conference in sacks and was 12th in tackles for loss. He recorded 15 career sacks, ninth in school history.
A native of Meridian, Idaho, Williams totaled 194 tackles, including 28 for loss, forced three fumbles and recovered three more while anchoring what became one of the country’s best defenses at the FCS level.
The Meridian, Idaho native ended a successful career at Weber State in 2019 where he earned All-America honors and was named the Big Sky Co-Defensive MVP. Williams was a part of the winningest senior class in Weber State history, a team that won three Big Sky titles and appeared in the FCS Playoffs four times.
Williams appeared in 54 games at Weber State throughout his career and finished with 15 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 194 total tackles, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
During his senior season in 2019, Williams started in all 15 games for the Wildcats, helping them win their third straight Big Sky title and advance to the FCS Semifinals. He is the fifth player in Weber State history to be named Defensive MVP. While serving as a team captain, Williams ranked fifth in the conference with 7.5 sacks and 12th in the Big Sky with 11 tackles for loss.
Williams joins two local players on the Rams roster which includes Utah safety Terrell Burgess who was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft as well as BYU defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku who signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent.
Will all of these players still be on the 53 man roster when Rams host the Bears on Sep 12?
DT Michael Hoecht
The Rams signed Hoecht as an undrafted free agent last year and stashed him on the practice squad for the entire season. As disappointing as it was for him to not make the active roster, it’s a testament to how the Rams view him that he maintained a spot on the practice squad for all 17 weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs.
Now with a full offseason of work – given last year’s restrictions due to the pandemic – Hoecht is a player for Rams fans to know in 2021. Defensive line trainer Eddy McGilvra works with Hoecht and other Rams during the offseason, and he says people shouldn’t sleep on the second-year player.
“Someone I think a lot of people don’t know of because he was on the practice squad, undrafted, is Mike Hoecht,” McGilvra told Rams Wire via phone recently. “His progression over this last offseason has been tremendous.
He’s moving 10 times better than I’ve seen him move. His pass-rush toolbox has grown. He’s added a lot of stuff.
He’s so powerful but has added a lot of finesse moves to his game now, which is going to help him combine that power into finesse-type chops and clubs and swipes. It’s hard to fill the shoes of Morgan Fox, because Fox was so valuable in that sense and so good at what he did, but you can see Hoecht kind of playing that role. He’s going to be playing over the inside of the tackle, shade the guard type of stuff.”
Hoecht is listed at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds on the Rams’ roster, which is slightly bigger and heavier than Morgan Fox, who’s 6-3 and about 260. But if Hoecht improved his quickness and movement skills, his bigger stature shouldn’t limit him as a situational pass rusher.
He’ll have some stiff competition in training camp from the likes of Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV, Eric Banks and Jonah Williams, among others, but Hoecht has as good a chance as any of those players to make the 53-man roster.
Keep an eye on him during camp and listen to what the Rams’ coaches have to say because he’s a sleeper along the defensive line.
Brown University defensive lineman Michael Hoecht has signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
Hoecht was not selected in the NFL Draft but retained a strong chance to further his career as a professional. He played in 37 games over his four-year tenure with the Bears, including 10 in each of the last three seasons. Hoecht broke the news on his personal Twitter page.
Hoecht is an Ontario native who emerged as a priority target on Canadian Football League draft boards. He posted a virtual combine workout video in March that showed a 4.65-second clocking in the 40-yard dash. The CFL Draft will be held Thursday and Hoecht checked in at No. 6 in the final rankings issued by the league’s central scouting bureau.
Hoecht is capable of playing tackle in a 4-3 defensive look or end in a 3-4 scheme. He made 174 tackles and totaled 16½ sacks with Brown. Hoecht was listed in his predraft work anywhere between 295 and 310 pounds.
Hoecht posted a career-high 69 tackles in 2018 and was generally disruptive up front, combining for 19 tackles for loss in his sophomore and senior campaigns. He also finished with four fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. Hoecht was named a second team All-Ivy League selection in 2019 and was a two-year team captain.
The Rams’ coaching staff includes a significant Rhode Island connection. Former La Salle Academy star Liam Coen is entering his third season with Los Angeles, all on the offensive side of the ball. Coen served as quarterbacks coach with the Bears in 2010 and added pass game coordinator to his title in 2012 and 2013 after a one-year stint at the University of Rhode Island.
Brown defensive lineman Michael Hoecht signs with Rams
Brown University defensive lineman Michael Hoecht has signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Hoecht was not selected in the NFL Draft but retained a strong chance to further his caree…
www.providencejournal.com
Safety J.R. Reed
The Los Angeles Rams have signed former Georgia Bulldogs safety J.R. Reed to their practice squad. Reed was a first team Walter Camp All-American last season for the University of Georgia.
Reed went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft despite his accolades. He originally signed an undrafted deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they cut him before the season.
Reed will be reunited with former UGA defensive back Tyrique McGhee on the Los Angeles practice squad. Reed has the instincts and skill to compete in the NFL, but his physical traits have been questioned.
For Los Angeles Rams fans unfamiliar with J.R. Reed, they should know that they are landing a playmaker. Reed forced seven turnovers in three seasons with Georgia. He racked up 199 tackles during this time.
He’s a veteran who played in 42 games throughout his decorated college career Jacksonville Jaguars Reed signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2020. He was waived on September 5, 2020.
Los Angeles Rams On September 9, 2020, Reed was signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on November 23 and November 28 for the team's weeks 11 and 12 games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. On December 5, 2020, Reed was promoted to the active roster.
Los Angeles Rams add former Georgia All-American to practice squad
The Los Angeles Rams have signed former Georgia Bulldogs safety J.R. Reed to their practice squad. Reed was a first team Walter Camp All-American last season for the University of Georgia. Reed wen…
ugawire.usatoday.com
DE Jonah Williams
Apr 25, 2020 Rams sign Weber State’s Jonah Williams
After the University of Utah shuffled a handful more players into the NFL via the draft, the frantic signings of undrafted free agents kicked off Saturday evening as soon as the draft concluded.
The Los Angeles Rams scooped up Weber State defensive end Jonah Williams
Williams, a defensive end, was an All-American as a senior and the Big Sky Defensive MVP. He finished fifth in the conference in sacks and was 12th in tackles for loss. He recorded 15 career sacks, ninth in school history.
A native of Meridian, Idaho, Williams totaled 194 tackles, including 28 for loss, forced three fumbles and recovered three more while anchoring what became one of the country’s best defenses at the FCS level.
The Meridian, Idaho native ended a successful career at Weber State in 2019 where he earned All-America honors and was named the Big Sky Co-Defensive MVP. Williams was a part of the winningest senior class in Weber State history, a team that won three Big Sky titles and appeared in the FCS Playoffs four times.
Williams appeared in 54 games at Weber State throughout his career and finished with 15 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 194 total tackles, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
During his senior season in 2019, Williams started in all 15 games for the Wildcats, helping them win their third straight Big Sky title and advance to the FCS Semifinals. He is the fifth player in Weber State history to be named Defensive MVP. While serving as a team captain, Williams ranked fifth in the conference with 7.5 sacks and 12th in the Big Sky with 11 tackles for loss.
Williams joins two local players on the Rams roster which includes Utah safety Terrell Burgess who was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft as well as BYU defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku who signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent.
