The United Football League, fresh off its first season following a merger between the XFL and USFL, held its rookie draft on Wednesday, and several current NFL rookies, most of which undrafted free agents, were selected in the process.
Those teams will then have that player's rights should things not work out in the NFL and they turn to the spring league to continue their playing career.
Los Angeles Chargers undrafted free agent Akeem Dent was selected by the Michigan Panthers in the seventh round with the No. 54 overall pick. Dent is currently at Chargers training camp, where the rookies reported about one week before the rest of the roster.
Akeem Dent has a good chance to make Chargers' 53-man roster
Dent played at Florida State where he was part of one of the best defenses in the country last season. He had 189 career tackles and one interception at the school.
There are questions about the depth at Safety for the #Chargers
— Jake Hefner (@JakeTHefner) May 3, 2024
Enter UDFA S Akeem Dent from FSU
-Brings physicality that Minter will want from his DBs
-Lighter frame, but not afraid to come up and make a hit
-Rangy, with athleticism to make plays in coverage and run support pic.twitter.com/azq6BbrJCX
The Chargers have Derwin James and Alohi Gilman at the safety position but there is a lack of proven depth behind them. That could give Dent a good chance to make this year's team or at the very least, be added to the practice squad.
If things don't work out for Dent in the NFL, he can fall back on the Michigan Panthers of the UFL, if he so chooses.
