The Buffalo Bills usually bring in several undrafted free agents during minicamps for tryouts with the team. One of those is Monmouth Fighting Scots quarterback Alex Tanney, who is famous for his trick shot video on You Tube.
Monmouth is an NCAA Division III school, and players from Division III need to dominate in order to get the attention of NFL teams. Tanney certainly did that, as he holds the NCAA Division III record for passing yards with 14,249 and the NCAA record for all-time career touchdown passes with 157.
The Bills have struck gold with small college athletes before – starting running back Fred Jackson played in Division III Coe College and he was tearing up the NFL last season.
Right now, all Tanney wants is a shot.
“I’m from a small school,” he told the Associated Press. “And the only thing I’ve ever really wanted was an opportunity to get into a camp. And now I have that in Buffalo, so I’m anxious to get there and compete for a spot.”
Tanney has a good chance as the only three quarterbacks on the roster are Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyler Thigpen and fellow undrafted free agent quarterback Aaron Corp. The Bills also have quarterback/wide receiver Brad Smith, but he is more of a wide receiver than a quarterback. Buffalo is also looking at Vince Young as a potential backup, but haven’t signed him yet.
NFL teams typically go into training camp with four quarterbacks that way the starter’s arm doesn’t wear out, and they have a chance to look at viable options for the number 2 and 3 slots. Even if he doesn’t make the active squad, teams can designate up to eight players for development on the practice squad.
