No Pack players drafted; Fajardo signs with Raiders

For the first time since 2010, no Wolf Pack football players were selected in the NFL draft.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo, a potential late-round pick, wasn't among the 256 picks during Thursday-Saturday's draft. Only seven quarterbacks were picked. Defensive end Brock Hekking, the only other potential draft pick, also wasn't selected.

But neither had to wait very long before signing with NFL teams.

Shortly after the draft, Cody Fajardo said via Twitter he had signed with the Raiders. Hekking signed with the Chargers. Offensive tackle Kyle Roberts, a Reed High graduate, signed with the Broncos.

The Wolf Pack had gone four straight drafts with at least one draft pick, sending 10 alums into the NFL via the draft and a few more through the undrafted ranks. But Fajardo, Hekking and potentially other former Wolf Pack standouts will get into training camp.

Prior to the draft, Fajardo said he was hopeful he'd be picked, but if not he'd fight his way through the undrafted free-agency ranks.

"The draft guys tend to get more opportunities than free-agent guys," Fajardo said. "They're willing to show some confidence in you. It means there's a team that liked your enough to use a draft pick on you, which means come training camp, 'Let's put the draft guy in there first instead of the free-agent guy.'"

"But there are plenty of great free-agent stories, like a guy like (ex-Nevada tight end) Zach Sudfeld, who had to fight and claw for everything. It's a tough process, kind of like being a walk-on, but there are success stories. It's not a total bust if you have to go the free-agent route, which is cool as well."