Though he was touted by some as the best fullback in the NFL draft, not one team thought Alec Ingold was worth a selection.
But he’s a Raider now, having been signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin. Now, it’s Ingold’s goal to survive Napa training camp and earn a 53-man roster spot.
And he sounds quite ready to do so.
Ingold told Greg Bates of the Press-Times in Green Bay, Wis. he belongs on an NFL field, preferably with the Raiders.
“I feel like there’s something I’ve got to prove. Some people didn’t think I was worthy of a draft pick,” Ingold said. “Obviously, I think I belong on the team and I should be there. I definitely feel I have something to prove going into training camp … I should be part of this team.”
There are just two fullbacks on the Raiders roster as the team prepares for training camp. Ingold will compete with last season’s starter, Keith Smith. Smith, while a more than serviceable fullback, is a former linebacker and not the traditional fullback coach Jon Gruden is known for.
Ingold, on the other hand, was the highest-rated fullback in college football last season by Pro Football Focus in both run blocking and rushing. Gruden values the fullback more than other teams, and it worked to his benefit in this case.
If Ingold can match his college production and pave the way for rookie running back Josh Jacobs and others, not being drafted and landing on Gruden’s team could benefit Ingold, as well.
