Is it Possible to make it into the NFL without playing in College?

This guy got drafted in the NFL without playing a down of college football!

Meet Qwan’tez Stiggers, and he does not have your typical path to the NFL.

You see, Stiggers was supposed to play college football for Lane College, a d2 team in Jackson, Tn, but quit pursuing his dream since he wanted to take care of his family of 13 siblings after his father suffered severe injuries ultimately leading to his passing.

Eventually he found another opportunity to play for the Fan Control Football League,

I don't know what you know about the fan control football league but….

• 7-on-7 indoor football league that played two seasons in 2021 and 2022. The league operated on the premise of fans voting on play calls and other in-game events

• Active roster players were paid weekly $400 (before taxes) plus room and board

Stiggers caught the eye of several coaches from the Argos, a team in the CFL. They decided to give Stiggers a shot and it actually worked. Let me tell you why…

Stiggers stood at an impressive 6ft 204 pounds and ran a 4.45 second 40 yard dash. With these measurables and every game becoming a highlight tape for Stiggers, he was now a well known scout for the NFL, especially for the New York Jets, which would lead to the Jets signing Stiggers to a 4 year 4.4 million dollar contract, after getting drafted in the 5th round of 2024 Draft.

• This is how Stiggers wound up on the NFL radar, eventually drafted by the Jets in the fifth round -- only the third player in the common draft era (since 1967) to be selected without having attended college.

An ESPN Staff writer stated “He made $73,000 Canadian during his lone season with the Argos, which equates to $54,000 in current U.S. dollars. His four-year contract with the Jets will average about $1.1 million per year.”

Qwantez Stiggers never gave up and now has a shot to compete with the best and be one of the best Defensive backs in the NFL. I can’t think of the last time the Jets had a decent season but maybe this is the change they need.

Talk about being a hidden gem, he is a living example of why you should never give up.

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