Erik Swoope “Off the Charts” in Minicamp

Mar 12, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Erik Swoope (21) celebrates with teammates after drawing the foul against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first round of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Miami defeated Virginia Tech 57-53. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts decided to make an interesting move immediately following the 2014 NFL Draft, and decided to sign former University of Miami basketball player Erik Swoope. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing in at 220 pounds, he is a very similar type of tight end to Jimmy Graham. He has been impressing head coach Chuck Pagano in his first minicamp, and looks like a very likely contender to make the Colts’ NFL roster.

“To be able to just break a huddle, get in a stance, run the routes that he ran, catch the balls that he caught, I mean, off the charts, exceeded our expectations way beyond anything that you’d ever imagine for a guy that never played.“Every time I walk by the tight end meeting room, he’s in there watching tape, he’s with (tight ends coach) Alfredo Roberts studying and learning. He’s doing a great job at this point.” – Chuck Pagano

Those are certainly glowing words for the undrafted free agent, and it leads many to believe that he has an inside track at a roster spot. That being said, it will be difficult for him, especially with both Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener to compete against. It will certainly be intriguing to see how he does when the preseason gets here, and what type of production he can do against opposing defenses.

These types of stories are always interesting to follow, and Colts fans have already taken notice of Swoope. He is a very hard worker as Pagano said in his quote above, and really wants to make things work in Indianapolis. Imagine if Andrew Luck had a target as big as Swoope. There is no doubt that he would help out the offense in certain situations if he does make the team, and could be a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses.