A dream come true: 10 former Falcons getting their shot at the pros

NEW BERLIN – Located on the hill at the former New Berlin High School sits Milford Academy, a preparatory school that was originally in Milford, Connecticut that served as an entrance school for Yale University. Now, the school serves as a one-year school for football players to prepare for college-level programs.

In April, 10 players who were members of the 2013 and 2014 rosters under Falcons’ head coach Bill Chaplick, were either drafted by, signed by or invited by National Football League (NFL) organization to become a member of their team.

This two-part series will feature the 10 players – Blessuan Austin, Ka’Dar Hollman, Jamar Summers, Kahzin Daniels, Jacob Dolegala, Derrek Thomas, Marquis Young, Eric Mayes, Derrick Gore and Chasz Wright – time at Milford Academy, where and what they did after their year with the Falcons and who they are getting their shot in the NFL with.

Blessuan Austin, Defensive Back

Standing at 6 feet-2 inches and weighing in a at 195, Blessuan Austin just finished his final year of college with the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers, a campus located in Newark, NJ. Unfortunately for the the senior defensive back, his final season was extremely short after he suffered an ACL tear in his left knee.

The New York Jets, however, are taking a shot on Austin as they selected him in the sixth round of the NFL Draft back in April.

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The former Milford defensive stand-out totaled 14 solo tackles, seven for loss with eight pass breakups and three interceptions for the Falcons prep school in the 2014 season. Following his one-year stint at Milford Academy, Austin went to Rutgers were he was an immediate impact as a freshman.

Starting in 10 of 11 games on the Scarlet Knights schedule, Austin totaled 33 tackles and broke up four passes as first year player. In his sophomore year, Austin started all 11 games and was named to the All-Big Ten honorable mention team by the media due to his pass breakups. The Scarlet Knights defensive back registered 12 for the season, which was the most by any defender in the program since 2012. Austin also recorded 41 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery.

In his final two season, Austin was plagued by the ACL injuries. The first came on September 23, 2017 in Rutgers’ conference contest against Nebraska just four games into the season. Prior to the injury, Austin made 12 tackles in just four games played and added the one-handed interception against the Cornhuskers before the injury occurred.

Austin is still recovering from his most recent surgery and will likely be on the physically unable to preform list for the Jets at the start of training camp.

Ka’Dar Hollman, Cornerback

A member of Bill Chaplick’s defensive backfield in 2013, Ka’Dar Hollman was signed by the Green Bay Packers on May 3 after being drafted in the sixth round by the Wisconsin based team. Hollman was the first of the rounds’ picks to be signed by the Packers, receiving a contract of $2.7 million for four years and a signing bonus of six figures in the deal.

At 5-foot-11 inches and 196 pounds, Hollman was one of the most athletic cornerbacks in this year’s draft. At the NFL Combined in Indianapolis, he ran a 40-yard dash of 4.36 seconds and recorded a 38.5-inch vertical leap.

Hollman, a three-year starter at the cornerback position for the Toledo Rockets, compiled 114 tackles, two interceptions and 27 pass breakups. As a senior, he tied for the MAC lead with 12 breakups while recording one interception.