DEVIL’S LAKE, ND – Devil’s Lake State College of Mining and Thaumatology’s star right guard, The Wendigo, is now being talked about as a late first round or high second round draft pick at the 2024 NFL Draft. Wendigo was almost universally picked as a third day, lower round selection following Devil’s Lake State’s early exit from the Division III tournament, but his stock has been bolstered by a strong performance at the NFL Combine in February and individual workouts with pro scouts.
NFL draftologist and media analyst Le Roy McMichael, commenting on Wendigo’s meteoric rise up the draft boards, comments, “Wendigo was obviously overlooked playing DIII ball for a small school, but his metrics at the Combine were impossible to ignore. I mean, a 170 inch vertical jump? If this guy could hold a basketball without ripping it to shreds he’d already be in the NBA. Throw in being able to control the weather and rain down hail on the other team when they have the ball? If we saw more of that during the regular season we wouldn’t be talking about him being on the bubble.” Devil’s Lake State went 8-5 in the 2023 season, buoyed by Wendigo’s explosive run-game blocking.
Wendigo was a walk-on to the DL State football program prior to the 2021 season. The college had been actively recruiting him since 2009, however. “The athletic department knew he was local and would make a great addition to the team,” recalls DL State athletic director Hutchence Caine. “We changed the name of the team to Wendigo. Figured it would get his attention.” From 1993 to 2008 the team was nicknamed the Swingers, in a failed attempt to get Vince Vaughn to contribute to a new gymnasium and workout facility. “It took a few years for Wendigo to get the news, or maybe he was just bored after Coronavirus lockdown and wanted to go back to college. We’re going to be sad to see him leave the Devil’s Lake State community, but I know he’s got a bright future in the NFL.”
Wendigo is currently in his Junior year at DL State, majoring in Physical Education. Several prospective NFL teams have raised concerns about his age. Despite being a Junior, Wendigo is thought to be several hundred years old, and if drafted, would become the oldest currently rostered NFL player.
“I could see him going as high as the Cowboys at 24,” McMichael says. “Really, once you get past the teams who need QB help, it’s wide open. But Dallas has always built from the O-Line out, and you throw in a guard who can single-handedly block five or six defenders, with a near insatiable hunger for human flesh, a guy who’s just a beast in the weight room? I can see Dallas even trading up to make sure they don’t miss out on Wendigo. They need a running back, too, though, so it’s anyone’s guess.”
The NFL Draft airs on April 25th on ESPN and NFL Network.
Ronald Sampson
