Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/75050
he added. "I said I was at school and going back home [nearly every weekend] and trying to take care of what I needed to take care of. All the teams that have been interested in me from the get-go, I let know [about my situation]. "I'm just happy to get that opportunity to get into camp and compete for a spot. That's all you can really ask for." tackle Taylor Dever's phone began ringing. That's when Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Buffalo, the New York Giants, San Diego and Dallas all fought for the 6-5, 301-pounder via free agency. A longstanding relationship from the Nevada City, Calif., native's high school days enticed him the most. "I think the biggest thing is that Coach [Bill] Callahan At the conclusion of the seventh round, offensive TAYLOR DEVER SADDLES UP WITH DALLAS is the offensive line coach there [at Dallas], and he re- cruited me at Nebraska back in 2007 when he was the head coach there. I love Coach Callahan and what he's about. I just felt like that was, as far as coaches, posi- tions and future employment along the offensive line, my best bet. "I always kind of prided myself on maintaining and building relationships with people that mattered to me. I think I've always tried to do a good job with that and I think this is an example of where it hopefully helps me out a little bit." Dever played in 42 games for Notre Dame after sit- boys gave him a good shot to make their roster next season. hear his name called in the 2012 NFL Draft, but he inked a free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins with two selections remaining in the seventh round. Gray, who had a breakout senior season for Notre Dame (791 yards and 12 touchdowns), tore his ACL on Senior Day against Boston College on Nov. 21. He said not being drafted late worked out in his favor. "Not only would [being drafted by some random JONAS GRAY SIGNS WITH MIAMI Former Notre Dame running back Jonas Gray didn't team] not be the right fit, it has something to do with [Miami] willing to be patient with me," he explained. "The fact that I have an ability to go to a team that's going to be patient with me and give me an opportunity to get back to where I was before. … They kept telling me they had me rated so high and were shocked that I didn't get drafted. They said it was divine order; it was all planned. I'm just happy to be a part of the Dolphins. "It's in the contract that they're going to be patient with me. That was something that was huge for me, my family, my agent and my business manager to go to a team that would put it in writing." ting out his freshman season. He started at right tackle in his final two seasons with the Irish. Dever said he interviewed with Cowboys' coaches briefly at the NFL Combine in February, but had very little contact with them before or after. Dallas was not one of the teams that he spoke with at the postseason all-star game he attended in Arkansas before the combine either. After speaking with his agent, Dever decided that, along with the comfort of knowing Callahan, the Cow- out to offensive guard Trevor Robinson, who was the fourth Irish player to sign a free agent contract. The 6-5, 310-pounder and former USA Today first-team All- American started three games during his freshman year (40 overall in his career), making him one of five in Notre Dame history since 1972 (when freshman eligibility was allowed) to do that along the offensive line. Cincinnati signed a total of 15 undrafted free agents, including four other offensive linemen. Robinson could not be reached for comment. JUNE/JULY 2012 39 The day after the draft, the Cincinnati Bengals reached TREVOR ROBINSON CATCHES CINCINNATI'S EYE — Wes Morgan