As the final rounds of the NFL Draft came and went on Saturday afternoon, Harry Crider wasn’t all that anxious.
After all, the Columbus East and Indiana University graduate knew he had a couple of bonafide offers to sign as a free agent if he didn’t get drafted.
That was the scenario that ended up unfolding as the day morphed into evening. The draft ended a little before 7 p.m., and Crider and the Philadelphia Eagles had a deal in place by around 7:30 p.m.
“I knew before the draft was even over that if nothing changed, I would end up going there,” Crider said. “After the draft was over, I ended up talking to the O-line coach (Jeff Stoutland). Immediately after the draft, I was communicating with my agent (Joe Linta). We had some other opportunities, and we found that was the best fit for us.”
Crider said he had two other offers, but through his conversations with Stoutland and new Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, felt he might have the best shot at making the NFL roster with Philadelphia.
“Their O-line coach has shown the best interest in me throughout this whole process,” Crider said. “I communicated with him and the head coach. I always knew the Eagles were interested, and when it came down to it, the opportunity was right.”
The Eagles underwent a major upheval after finishing last in the NFC East with a 4-11-1 record last season. They fired head coach Doug Pederson, who had led them to a Super Bowl victory after the 2011 season, and traded quarterback Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts.
Sirianni, who spent the past three years as the Colts offensive coordinator, replaced Pederson in Philadelphia. The Eagles traded up to select wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama, with the 10th pick in Thursday’s opening round of the draft.
Crider said he watched most of the three-day draft at the home of his parents Bob and Elizabeth in Columbus.
“I knew today was going to be a long day,” Crider said. “I had some family and friends over here to my house in Columbus and had a good time. Obviously, it was a stressful day, but I can’t complain with how it ended.”
Crider said he heard from a lot of people that it’s better to sign as a free agent than get drafted in the seventh and final round.
“My agent had said that quite a bit,” Crider said. “It definitely turned out well going somewhere where they want me. At the end of the day, an opportunity is an opportunity. I’m just excited to have this opportunity and get to work.”
Saturday was the first of what will be at least three conscecutive huge Saturday for Crider. This week, he will get his master’s degree in criminal justice and public safety from IU.
In the meantime, Crider will go back to Bloomington to work out and train. He leaves May 12 for rookie minicamp, which will be the following weekend, and will stay in Philadelphia through mid-June.
Crider said he he’s never been to Philadelphia and doesn’t know anyone on the current Eagles roster. But he’s ready to go and compete for a chance to play in the NFL.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” Crider said. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, being here at home. Now, it’s time to get to work. Now that I have this opportunity, it’s time to make the most out of it.”
