Of the 15 quarterbacks taken in the 2016 NFL Draft last weekend, former Alabama quarterback Jake Coker was not one of them. It looks like he has gotten his shot by signing with the Arizona Cardinals.
He is looking to have his shot in the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent and he is excited to play under a veteran like Carson Palmer. He seemed to enjoy his first day as a part of the roster.
“It was awesome just being able to come here and get an opportunity,” Coker said after the first day of the Cardinals’ rookie minicamp on Friday. “I’m thankful for that.”
Coker transferred to Alabama from Florida State ahead of the 2014 season and looked to be the replacement for A.J. McCarron. However, Blake Sims won the starting job and Coker was named starter for the 2015 season.
During that season, his only as a starter, Jake Coker threw for 3,110 yards and 21 touchdowns, with just eight interceptions. He led the team to a 14-1 record, an SEC championship, and their fourth national title in the last seven years.
Coker did not start in their lone loss, giving him an undefeated record as a starting quarterback at the collegiate level. It is appropriate that Coker is a part of the Cardinals’ roster now after he had a career high 335 yards and two touchdowns in the national championship game, which was played at the team’s home stadium in Phoenix.
“He was fine,” coach Bruce Arians said of Coker’s first day with the team. “Nerves get a lot of the guys, not being in sync footwork-wise. … The interceptions didn’t bother me. He was going to the right spots on the field and he’s a big, strong kid who seems to be pretty bright.”
If he takes advantage of learning from Palmer, Coker could be the first great Alabama quarterback in the NFL in a long time.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
