It was always going to be an uphill battle for former Michigan safety Tyree Kinnel to be selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. Kinnel was a solid Wolverine, but when he didn’t get an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine last month, chances were slim that he would see his name called in the round of 254.

But that doesn’t mean he won’t have his chance.

Shortly after Mr. Irrelevant is picked in the NFL Draft, teams scurry to secure those undrafted free agents of choice, and Kinnel quickly got the call. And it looks like he’ll be teaming up with another former Wolverine.

Kinnel took to social media shortly after the draft’s conclusion to announce that he is signing with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Thank you for the opportunity @Bengals can’t wait to compete!!#WhoDey — Tyree Kinnel (@Tkinnel_2) April 27, 2019

That means he’ll be joining his former teammate, Ryan Glasgow, a defensive tackle who was selected by the team in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Also, it’s something of a homecoming for Kinnel, who grew up in nearby Dayton, having played at Huber Heights High School.

While going undrafted isn’t an ideal situation, Kinnel does have his predecessor he can look up to. Similarly, former Michigan safety Dymonte Thomas was left without a team after 254 picks, having not received the call. However, he got a call from the Denver Broncos shortly after, and above all odds — given how difficult it can be to break onto the team as an undrafted player — Thomas made a name for himself and made the 53-man roster.

Kinnel has 170 tackles, 2 interceptions and one sack in his Michigan career.