Keeping up w/ HBCU Alum: NCAT Alum CB Mac McCain
Before Covid-19, former NCAT CB Mac McCain was another good season away from being an NFL draft pick, but without a senior season he ended up going undrafted. McCain came in hot as at NCAT with 50 total tackles 6 ints(3 pick sixes) and 14 PDs, this was enough for him to earn All-MEAC honors. In 2018 and 2019, McCain started the seasons off well but both seasons he wasn’t able to play every game due to injury. With one more season McCain would have been able to cement his status as an NFL draft pick. But without a season McCain still had the opportunity to prove he belonged at the HBCU Combine and he did exactly that. He went through drills very fluidly and showed off his athleticism with a 4.48 40 yard dash, 35.5 in. vertical jump and 10’3 in the broad jump.
Even though he wasn’t drafted McCain definitely had the attention of NFL teams. He was highly sought after the draft was over and to guarantee they landed him, the Denver Broncos gave McCain a $30k guaranteed salary along with a 20k signing bonus right at the end of the draft.
McCain impressed in the offseason programs along with training camp. On the first day of camp, Broncos beat writer George Stoia named him the rookie of the day (Denver drafted CB Patrick Surtain Jr in the first round). Stoia said “McCain made one of the better plays, breaking up a pass intended for Tyrie Cleveland. The undrafted rookie looked solid in coverage throughout the day and could position himself as someone who could sneak onto the team or the practice squad.” McCain was only able to play one 1 preseason game where he recorded 3 tackles. McCain ended up being cut on the last day to finalize rosters but was quickly signed to Denver’s practice squad, as they had a surplus of cornerbacks. But with the impression he had made at the start of the process was still being accounted for, the Philadelphia Eagles signed McCain off the Broncos practice squad and added him to their 53 man roster. Philadelphia, unlike Denver, has a huge hole at CB and needed people to compete. So after a long journey McCain still has an opportunity to make an impact in his rookie season in the NFL.