Rep 1 Sports NFL agent Chase Callahan was watching Carson Wentz quarterback the North Dakota State Bisons in a college game a few years ago when a tight end on the opposing team, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, jumped out at him.
It was October 2015 and the Bisons beat the Jackrabbits 28-7 that night, but the tight end, a redshirt sophomore named Dallas Goedert, scored South Dakota State’s only touchdown on a 26-yard pass.
Callahan decided to start following Goedert. He continued to watch him even after Rep 1 Sports signed Wentz and he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 2 pick in 2016.
“It was not just the touchdown pass,” Callahan said of his decision to follow Goedert. “You look for traits, and he has unique traits and athleticism that stood out compared to everybody else on the field.”
More than two years later, Callahan, Ryan Tollner and Bruce Tollner are representing Goedert, who some draft analysts say has a chance to go in the first round of this April’s NFL draft. NFL Draft Scout analyst Dane Brugler had Goedert at No. 27 on his mock draft last week.
Wentz, who was a candidate for NFL MVP this fall before suffering a season-ending knee injury, has given hope to small-school football players everywhere. And finding talent where most would least expect it is one of Callahan’s favorite things about being an agent.
“I mean, Dallas was a walk-on at South Dakota State,” Callahan said. “And now here he is with a chance to be the first tight end drafted and a guy that I think will soon be one of the best tight ends in the NFL.”
South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert is a potential first-round pick.AP Images
At Irvine, Calif.-based Rep 1 Sports, Callahan and the Tollners, who are cousins, represent all of the players together.
This year, they also signed Washington State quarterback Luke Falk, North Carolina wide receiver Austin Proehl, Nevada offensive tackle Austin Corbett, Pittsburgh offensive tackle Brian O’Neill, Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver, Washington center Coleman Shelton and Utah nose tackle Lowell Lotulelei.
OCTAGON SIGNS DRAFT CLASS: Octagon has signed several prospects for the NFL draft, including defensive end Matt Dickerson, offensive tackle Kolton Miller and center Scott Quessenberry from UCLA.
Octagon also signed Old Dominion defensive end Bunmi Rotimi, Penn State cornerback Grant Haley, Fordham running back Chase Edmonds and Utah defensive end Kylie Fitts.
Agents Jeremy Newberry, Casey Muir, Tyler Urban and Murphy McGuire are representing the players. Muir and McGuire joined Octagon last year and Urban was certified by the NFL Players Association to represent players in contract talks last year but has been with Octagon since 2015. Newberry, a former NFL center, joined Octagon as an agent in 2013 but was represented by the agency during his entire 11-year playing career.
EXCEL REPS DARNOLD: Excel Sports Management is representing Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold, who some analysts see as the potential No. 1 pick in the draft, for marketing and off-the-field work.
As previously reported, CAA Sports is representing Darnold on the field.
CAPITAL SIGNS TWO: Capital Sports Advisors has signed Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup and Temple linebacker Jacob Martin for representation in the NFL draft. Agents Tom Mills and Kevin Robinson are representing them.
As previously reported, Capital also is representing Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield for playing contract work.
WASSERMAN SIGNS JONES: Wasserman has signed Zyen Jones and negotiated the 17-year-old forward’s deal to join Bundesliga club Schalke this summer, after he turns 18. Wasserman agent Cory Gibbs is representing Jones, who is a product of Atlanta United’s academy.
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
