tanner english He’s been overcoming a bit of a stigma his whole life. He is short in stature and that does not bode well for a soccer player, at least for those who judge him.
However, seeing Ingle on the football field, that judgment will be quickly dispelled. He packs a punch normally reserved for the greats, and is a rocket of passion and energy from safety.
Unfortunately for Ingle, an undrafted free agent, not everyone can see past his size. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Groin was cut by the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday. It was D-Day for numerous players across the county, as the NFL’s Cutoff Day deadline required teams to reduce their rosters to 53 players.
“Story of my life, man. I’ve been little all this time and I’ve never been promoted as a highly recruited kid or anything like that,” Ingle, 23, said last week. “It’s something I’ve really dealt with since I was a kid.”
While he was in high school at DP, he once posted a profound tweet on Twitter that pretty much said it all: “Someone please tell me when height started determining how good you are at soccer.”
He’s been trying to prove his point ever since. Ingle, once he clears NFL waivers, will probably end up on the Rams’ practice squad, where he’ll keep trying to prove himself.
As for Ingle, a former first-team All-ACC selection at NC State, he earned a lot of believers during training camp, especially the former TCU All-American quarterback. Max Dugan, who was also released Tuesday by the Los Angeles Charger. Ingle put Duggan out during an NFL preseason game against the Chargers. He found an opening in a security blitz and planted Duggan on the grass.
The featured video of that looting was viewed by more than 1 million people and Ingle couldn’t believe the reaction across the country.
“That was great. I didn’t even really know what it was [Duggan] because he was very focused on the game,” Ingle said. “But to go back and realize, ‘Oh, wow, he just played in the national championship.’
“It was great to do a play like that on that stage.”
Last week he was optimistic about his chances to make the team, but did not forecast his future.
“I’m more than anything grateful for the opportunity to come here and continue to prove myself and earn a place on the team,” Ingle said. “I’m just a proud graduate of Dr. Phillips and I feel like the coach [Rodney] Wells and his staff have laid an excellent foundation for me to continue doing what I love to do. I will always be proud of that.
“Dr. Phillips’ culture was just part of the pillars of where I’ve been.”
Ingle was trying to become the first Dr. Phillips product to come to the NFL from the former Green Bay Packers All-Pro Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
“I always remember Ha Ha was at Dr. Phillips and he always came back to train with us during his offseason,” Ingle said. “I remember sitting there telling everyone else, ‘I’m going to do that one day.’ One day I will be in his position.
“So it was definitely an inspiration to be able to have someone as hyped as him around and talk to us and let us know that it’s possible to do whatever you dream of coming from where we come from.”
Ingle could still continue to attract the attention of the practice squad representatives and one day he could make that dream come true.
He certainly enjoyed his training camp experience with the Rams and still holds out hope for better days.
“They do a great job of giving everyone the same opportunity, no matter who you are or where you were drafted or whatever the case is,” Ingle said. “I really feel like they have a good culture here and they’re very accepting of whoever they brought in, drafts or undrafted free agents…you can really show what you’ve got.
“They’re actually giving everyone a chance to be part of the team instead of just bringing people to camp.”
Even though several Orlando-area players missed the cut, there were still three local rookies who did make NFL rosters. First-round pick and former star manager from Apopka/Georgia Jalen Carter landed with the Eagles, and S Brandon Hill (Wekiva/Pitt) and WR Tank Dell (Daytona Beach Mainland/Houston) made the Texans’ roster.
Several homegrown and state college players received layoffs Tuesday in the most ruthless day of the NFL year.
Other home casualties included: RB Jashaun Corbin (Rockledge/cut by Giants), OT ryan swoboda (Windermere/Lions Prep), QB Jeff Driskel (Hagerty/Cardinals) Darrynton Evans (New Smyrna Beach/Bills), OG Tayshawn Manning (Wekiva/Ravens), QB Trevor Siemian (Olympia/Bengals), DE Trent Harris (Winter Park/Dolphins) and RB patrick jacques (Timber Creek/Titans).
UCF cuts: C Cole Schneider (Packers), CB Tay Gowan (Vikings), P.L. Justin McCray (Panthers), K. Matthew Wright (Panthers), DT trysten hill (Browns), WR Breshad Perriman (Colts), WR Tre Nixon (Patriots), DE Big Kat Bryant (Cowboys), WR Brandon Johnson (Broncos), OL Wyatt Miller (Browns/Panthers), TE Jordan Franks (Chiefs) and CB Divaad Wilson (Jags).
Florida cuts: RB Malik Davis (Cowboys), WR freddy swain (Eagles), WR Tyrie Cleveland (Eagles), OL Jonotthan (Vikings), OL Richard Gouriage (Bills), OT David Sharpe (Ravens), S Teez Tabor (Colts), WR joseph hammon (Broncos), WR Solomon Patton (Bucs) and RB La’Mical Perine (Chiefs).
Former Soviet Union Clippings: Overtime cameron ervin (Panthers), D.L. Deadrin Senat (Bucs), DE Janarius Robinson (Eagles), DT Marvin Wilson (Eagles), DT Robert Cooper (Eagles), OL Bobby Hart (Lions), TE Cmaren McDonald (Rams), LB Keir Thomas (Rams), WR Ontario ‘Pokey’ Wilson (Chargers), OL Derrick Kelly (Browns), DE Hamsah Nasirildeen Jets) and DE Joshua Kaindo (Chiefs).
Cuts in Miami: DB Sheldrick Redwine (Cowboys), DE Antonio Moultrie (Packers), RB Lamar Miller (Patriots), WR Jeff Thomas (Patriots), CB Michael Jackson (Patriots), DB Trajan Bendy (steelers), DE Danny Isidora (Dolphins), WR Lawrence Cager (Jets), DE Joe Jackson (Cowboys), LB/DE Anthony Chickillo (Saints) and Mike Harley Jr. (Browns).
FIU cuts: QB alex mcgough (Packers).