Drwal invited to participate in Packers rookie minicamp
Posted: 04/30/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Former Lehigh wide receiver Jake Drwal will get an opportunity to pursue his dreams of playing in the NFL as he was invited to a minicamp with the Green Bay Packers next weekend on a tryout basis. The two-time All-Patriot League selection will head to Wisconsin for the three-day rookie minicamp, May 11-13 with the hope of earning a free agent contract.
Drwal enjoyed a standout career for the Mountain Hawks, one which included a pair of Patriot League championships and two NCAA playoff wins. A three-year starter at wide receiver, Drwal ranks third in Lehigh annals with 193 career receptions and comes in seventh in receiving yards with 2,323. A sure-handed, reliable target that isn’t afraid to go over the middle, Drwal averaged 51 receptions for 630 yards in his sophomore and junior season and was a key contributor to one of the nation’s top passing attacks as a senior as he hauled in 92 receptions for 1,060 yards and nine touchdowns. Drwal had three games with double-digit receptions and over 100 yards in his senior season, highlighted by a ten-catch, 112-yard, three-touchdown effort in a win over Yale.
The Omaha, Nebraska native also assumed Lehigh’s punt returner duties in is senior season, averaging just over seven yards on 24 returns. Drwal earned first team All-Patriot League honors as a senior and was a second team ECAC All-Star.
A supply chain management major, Drwal will attempt to be the second Mountain Hawk in as many years to latch on with an NFL franchise. Former Lehigh standout Will Rackley ’11 was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2011 draft and is entering his second season as a key contributor at guard for the Jaguars.
“It has been a stressful couple of days,” Drwal said after not hearing from any teams over the weekend. “I felt like I put up some good numbers at my pro day, but most teams did not get to see me in person.”
Drwal continued with thoughts on what it will take to be successful at minicamp, “I’m just going to do what I’ve always done. Catch the ball. Don’t have any drops. Run good routes. Work hard, and hope for the best.”
Drwal is the first Mountain Hawk in the class of 2012 to get an opportunity with an NFL team. Quarterback Chris Lum and offensive lineman Troy McKenna worked out for scouts earlier this spring but are still waiting for a chance to prove themselves.