The Indianapolis Colts are trying to continue the long history of turning a basketball player into a football weapon.
Among the flock of undrafted free agents signed in the aftermath of the draft, general manager Ryan Grigson signed former University of Miami forward Erik Swoope as a tight end.
At 6-foot-5, 220-pound, Swoope spent four years on the Hurricanes' hoops team and has never played organized football at any level of his athletic career.
The 22-year-old is trying to follow in the footsteps of fellow Miami alum Jimmy Graham, who has become the go-to name when discussing transitioning basketball players to football.
Graham certainly wasn't the first to give up the round ball to haul in the oblong pigskin. Notable recent converted pass-catchers such as future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates are examples of modern success creating tight ends from power forwards.
The Colts hope Swoope can be a long-term project, with freakish athleticism, who can learn and grow in their system.
In the short term, he'll have a hard time making a squad with Coby Fleener and a healthy Dwayne Allen. The process of learning to compete with professionals can be difficult for a man who's never played football.
Swoope could be a good practice squad stash for Grigson with a potential to develop into the next hardwood-to-gridiron success story.
*The "Around The League Podcast" wrapped up the draft by picking our winners and losers. *
