[jwplayer jF5wU66N-sNi3MVSU]
2021 NFL Draft Profile: WR Ben Putman
Wolf Pack WR Putman looking to get drafted
Contact/Follow @MWCwire
Get to know Putman.
Ben Putman took the long route on his way to catching passes in Mackay Stadium. Putman was unranked coming out of high school in Santa Rosa, CA. Prior to college, Putman put up nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in High school. Putman then went to Santa Rosa Junior College where he earned All-Bay 6 League honors his last season. He also led the team in 2016 with 63 receptions totaling 809 yards and added seven touchdowns.
Putman already had an associate’s degree in sociology when he landed in Reno. Ben Putman appeared in six games for the Wolf Pack in 2018, most of which on the kickoff coverage team.
https://twitter.com/cbssports/status/1079171868039495681?lang=en
Fans were quick to learn his name, however, when Putman became the Arizona Bowl hero leading the team with four receptions, 114 yards and most importantly, the go-ahead touchdown with one minute left on the clock. In 2019, Putman played a minor role for Nevada’s offense.
He had 26 catches, 297 yards and failed to reach the endzone. In 2020, Putman stayed on Coach Jay Norvell’s squad as a graduate assistant. While Putman didn’t play in 2020, he was still able to show off his talents in front of NFL scouts during Nevada’s 2020 Pro Day.
NFL Comparison
The NFL player that resembles Putman the most would be Chris Hogan. Fun fact, both players have a history with lacrosse. Putman played high school lacrosse and Hogan played college lacrosse at Penn State before switching to football and transferring to Monmouth. Hogan actually left football after the 2020 season for professional lacrosse in the PLL.
Hogan started with the Buffalo Bills but has jumped around a bit and has seen time with the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and most recently with the New York Jets. Hogan plays the slot WR position like Putman did and both players aren’t particularly fast but quick enough to find the field. Hogan went undrafted in 2011 which is what I can almost guarantee will happen with Putman.
Summary
Ben Putman was a fun storyline in 2018. He was also able to help the team both as a player and a coach in the years following. As much as it pains me to say, he won’t get drafted to the NFL. While I want to be wrong in this situation, Ben Putman won’t have a football career after college. The only way Putman sees an NFL roster is through the practice squad which could be a possibility.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1365]