Undrafted sportsperson

An undrafted sportsperson or undrafted free agent is specific type of sportsperson who plays, or attempts to play, in a professional sports league. As a matter of technicality, every eligible person not selected in the league's draft, is considered an undrafted sportsperson. However, many of those players never attempt to sign with a franchise or team. A number of undrafted sportspersons do pursue employment opportunities with their league of choice. As these players are all considered unrestricted free agents, they are sometimes identified simply as an "undrafted free agent" and are free to sign with any team they choose.

List of notable undrafted basketball players

*Bruce Bowen - A forward who went undrafted in 1993 from Cal State Fullerton. Bowen has won three NBA Championships with the San Antonio Spurs and been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team eight times. He also played in 500 consecutive games and has been runner up for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award three times.
*Brad Miller – A center who went undrafted in 1998 out of Purdue. Has appeared in 2 NBA All-Star Games, played for Team USA during the 1998 FIBA World Championship and the 2006 FIBA World Championship. Consistently ranked as one of the top passing centers in the NBA.fact|date=July 2008
* Ben Wallace – A center who went undrafted in 1996. He has appeared in 4 NBA All-Star games, been on the NBA All-Defensive Team 6 times, been named Defensive Player of the Year 4 times, and won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2003.

List of undrafted NHL players

List of notable undrafted players in the NFL

Certain undrafted NFL players have obtained a particularly high level of notoriety as a result of their on-field performance. Specialty positions such as kickers and punters are more likely to be undrafted than other positions.

* Joshua Cribbs – A kick returner from Kent State University, was the Pro Bowl selection for the AFC as a kick returner.
* Jake Delhomme – A quarterback from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He played in the now defunct NFL Europa before playing significant minutes in the NFL. He was a member of the first Carolina Panthers team to play in the Super Bowl and has played in the Pro Bowl.
* Antonio Gates – A tight end from Kent State University, has gone to the Pro Bowl four times and been named first team All-Pro three times.
* James Harrison – A Linebacker who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
* Priest Holmes – A running back from the University of Texas at Austin; Holmes led the NFL in rushing yards in 2002.
* Mat McBriar – Punter, Dallas Cowboys, is the highest paid punter in the NFL.
* Willie Parker – A running back, he set set a number of Pittsburgh Steelers team records.
* David Patten - Won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.
* Jason Peters – Pro Bowl and All-Pro offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills. He played tight end for the Arkansas Razorbacks in college and was moved to tackle because of his size. He beat out top-5 draft pick Mike Williams to win the position.
* Antonio Pierce – Starting inside linebacker for the New York Giants and Super Bowl XLII champion.
* John Randle – Defensive tackle, played mostly for the Minnesota Vikings, went undrafted in 1990 from Texas A&M-Kingsville.
* Tony Romo – A quarterback from Eastern Illinois University who was signed in 2003, and spent the first three years of his career as a backup. In 2006, his first season as a starter, he made the Pro Bowl. He has also tied the Dallas Cowboys team record for most touchdown passes (5) in a game.
* Rod Smith – A wide receiver from Missouri Southern State University; he established a number of Denver Broncos team records and has appeared in multiple Pro Bowl games.
* Mack Strong - A former fullback for the Seattle Seahawks who went to multiple Pro Bowls and blocked for record-setting Shaun Alexander in the 2005 season. Is often revered as one of the best fullbacks in history.
*Mike Vanderjagt - Pro Bowl and All-Pro placekicker for the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys who is the NFL career leader in field goal percentage.
* Adam Vinatieri – A placekicker from South Dakota State, he has set several NFL post-season and Super Bowl records and is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. In addition he is a four time Super Bowl champion.
* Kurt Warner – A quarterback who graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, Warner's professional career started in the Arena Football League. After he played one season in NFL Europa, Warner signed with the St. Louis Rams. Warner earned the Super Bowl MVP award for his performance in Super Bowl XXXIV. In addition Warner is a two time NFL MVP.
* Brian Waters – A guard who is the only offensive lineman to be an AFC player of the week.Fact|date=March 2008
* Wes Welker – Wide receiver for the New England Patriots. He tied for the league lead in receptions in the 2007 NFL season and led the Patriots in catches in Super Bowl XLII with 11.
* Pat Williams - Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings.

References