Despite having not played football since he was 14 years old, Baylor basketball player Rico Gathers is hoping to crack an NFL roster.
Though the Saints don’t release the names of participants, Gathers told ESPN Radio 104.9 in Baton Rouge that he would be participating in the Saints’ local draft prospect workout on Friday.
The Saints hit the draft jackpot with former basketball player Jimmy Graham, a third-round pick in 2010, though Graham played a year of college football before entering the draft. Gathers was playing college basketball three weeks ago and is more likely to go the route of Antonio Gates, who was undrafted after his basketball career at Kent State but has probably had a Hall of Fame career with the Chargers.
NFL scouts tracked Gathers through basketball season, and he’s said he feels his athletic skills are a “natural” fit for the NFL.
His measurables will certainly garner a look. Baylor listed Gathers at 6-foot-8, 275 pounds; a NOLA.com article in March said he measured 6-foot-7, 289 poounds when he began training for the draft.
Gathers has a Pro Day workout set for April 21, a week before the draft begins.