For two former Hoosier football stars, the chance to realize a dream still stands before them.
Guard Simon Stepaniak and wide receiver Nick Westbrook will both be at NFL training camps this summer after being drafted and signed as a free agent, respectively.
For head coach Tom Allen, Stepaniak and Westbrook’s journey to the NFL presents an opportunity to share with his team that is returning for the 2020 season.
Allen had both players address the team on a video conference, and each shared stories about the perseverance and hard work that got them to this point.
Stepaniak was drafted in the sixth round by Green Bay on Saturday. He started 31 games (30 at right guard, 1 at left guard) and appeared in 41 games. He was a team captain in 2019 and earned third‐team All‐Big Ten honors (media) and honorable‐mention All‐Big Ten (coaches).
The 6-foot-4 and 313 pound Stepaniak started all 11 games in which he appeared in 2019, 10 at right guard and one at left guard.
The Ohio native injured his knee during the week of preparation for the The Gator Bowl. Stepaniak expects to be 100 percent by training camp.
Our most recent NFL draft selection (that's 4⃣ #IUFB OL drafted in the last 5⃣ years for those keeping track) stopped by to share some wisdom with the family.
@SimonStepaniak | #ProIU pic.twitter.com/KT5WEkqml1
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) April 28, 2020
Westbrook also spoke with his teammates and discussed a time when he may have gotten too complacent.
The Lake Mary, Fla. product signed an undrafted free agent deal late Saturday night with the Tennessee Titans.
The 6-foot-3, 219-pound Westbrook had 42 receptions for 572 yards and five touchdowns in 2019. He served as a team captain alongside Stepaniak.
Graduate from @KelleySchool ✔️
Make the Academic All-B1G team…four times ✔️
Win the Spirit of Indiana Director's Award ✔️
Sign with the @Titans ✔️It's been a good four years for Nick Westbrook. Hear from the man himself. ⬇️
@nick_west15 | #ProIU pic.twitter.com/kP9dKQ53QF
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) April 28, 2020
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