CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- What a memorable weekend it has been for SIU football. Saluki safety Jeremy Chinn was a second round draft pick to the Carolina Panthers and Madre Harper signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
With the NFL draft the last three days, we have gotten to witness a lot of young men get the opportunity to change their life forever.
We talk a lot about what motivates athletes, the WHY. What pushes them to be better and strive to play at the highest level. And sometimes their why is for someone other than themselves.
That's the case for undrafted free agent Malik Haynes. The 5-11 334 pound senior is hoping for his opportunity in the National Football League. He says his 1 year old daughter Malia, is all the motivational he will ever need.
"That was definitely my drive during that training process," said Haynes. "From the end of the season up until pro day I was up in Chicago training and you know days that are tough, I just look at my daughter and that is motivation for me to go back to it. I got to put in the extra work today. I want to give her a better life than I had growing up. I just want to make sure she doesn't have a want or need for anything."
As an undrafted free agent Haynes has the flexibility to find a franchise that would give him the best shot at making a roster. Haynes's agent has spoken with the Ravens on his behalf; Baltimore a team where Haynes feels like he could make an impact.
"That's where my focus is now," said Haynes. " Hopefully get an opportunity to shine as an undrafted free agent there. They play a 3-4 defense and they play with actual true nose guards and that's my position and that's where I feel most comfortable and their defensive schemes. There is somewhere I could envision being a part of."
