Fendi Onobun with the Rams in the 2011 preseason. Photo by Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE
Former Arizona Wildcats basketball player Fendi Onobun has a new home — the Washington Redskins.
Washington signed Onobun to its practice squad earlier this week, which will his third team this season.
Onobun, a raw talent who played tight end for one year at the University of Houston after his basketball eligibility was exhausted, spent last season with the St. Louis Rams after being drafted in the sixth round. He had two catches for 15 yards.
The Rams released him at the end of training camp this year. Onobun signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad before being released in early October with an injury settlement.
“The biggest thing with me is the whole basketball transition thing, just finding somewhere I can stick, find a home and continue playing football,” Onobun told the Washington Post.
“Just want to get as many reps as I can in practice and really learn this game. As far as going from St. Louis to Seattle and Seattle to here, it’s been a crazy experience, but I’m just glad to have an opportunity to continue playing this game.”
Elsewhere …
Former Arizona offensive tackle Adam Grant, who has been on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad as a rookie free agent, talked to the Denver Post recently for a story about the team’s potential draft targets at quarterback, including UA senior Nick Foles.
“He comes to work at 6 o’clock every morning to watch film,” Grant said, describing Foles’ work ethic. (And, sometimes, Foles shows up at 3 a.m.)
Also from the Denver Post story, rookie safety Rahim Moore, from UCLA, had this to say about Foles: “He’s real challenging. Tall quarterback. He never telegraphs his throws. I believe he’s a first-round talent.”
Here is the updated list of ex-Cats in the NFL:
–Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago
–Eben Britton, OT, Jacksonville
–Antoine Cason, DB, San Diego
–Nick Folk, PK, New York Jets
–Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England
–Spencer Larsen, FB, Denver
–Earl Mitchell, DT, Houston
–Brooks Reed, LB, Houston
–D’Aundre Reed, DE, Minnesota
–Mike Thomas, WR, Jacksonville
Injured reserve
–Chris Gronkowski, FB, Indianapolis
Practice squads
–Colin Baxter, C, San Diego
–Lionel Dotson, DL, Buffalo
–Adam Grant, OT, Denver
–Fendi Onobun, TE, Washington
–Nate Ness, CB, St. Louis