LaMoure’s Arndt draws NFL interest
Like most football fans, Michael Arndt plans to watch the NFL draft next week. The difference is, he may at some point hear his name called. The LaMoure native and two-year starter at left tackle for NDSU has a chance to be drafted during the 3-day event April 28-30 in New York City.
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Like most football fans, Michael Arndt plans to watch the NFL draft next week.
The difference is, he may at some point hear his name called.
The LaMoure native and two-year starter at left tackle for NDSU has a chance to be drafted during the 3-day event April 28-30 in New York City.
Arndt has an agent and has been in contact with a handful of teams in recent weeks, including the Minnesota Vikings. He also recently returned from a trip to Cincinnati, where the Bengals flew him out to their facility for a meet and greet.
As usual, the level-headed Arndt isn’t getting too bent out of shape over the possibility of becoming a pro.
“It’s been a lot of fun, but at the same time, I have no idea what to expect (next week),” he said. “It’s definitely a unique experience to go through. I just try to take it as it comes.”
Arndt hopes to become the latest NDSU product in the NFL, joining Craig Dahl (St. Louis Rams), Joe Mays (Denver Broncos) and Ramon Humber (New Orleans Saints).
Whether he’s drafted, or catches on with a team as a free agent, Arndt is excited about the opportunity.
“If you get there as a draft pick, or as a free agent it doesn’t really matter. If you get a shot that’s all you can ask for,” said Arndt, who started 28 games in his career for the Bison.
Arndt certainly fits the profile of what NFL teams look for at the tackle position. He has the size (6-foot-6 1/2, 315 pounds), and anybody who saw him play basketball for the Loboes back in the day knows he has good feet.
He spent six weeks in Pittsburgh preparing for the draft after NDSU held its Pro Day at the Fargodome on March 21, and while he thinks the interest teams have shown is genuine, it’s hard to tell for sure. According to ESPN.com, SI.com, and cbssports.com, he is listed among the top 45 offensive tackle prospects. Only 254 players will be drafted, so being selected is far from a certainty.
He’s aware of all the draft talk on TV, radio and Web sites, but does not put muck stock in it.
“I don’t pay attention to that stuff. You look at Mel Kiper’s big board (top 32 players) and there’ll be guys on there that don’t go in the first two rounds,” he said of ESPN’s draft guru. “Teams have certain needs and how they draft is more important than what I hear on TV.”
Arndt’s fall was filled with more than just football. He also graduated from NDSU with a degree in criminal justice and was on the dean’s list, requiring a 3.50 GPA or better.
Like 40-million others, he’ll watch some of the draft, but he’s not going to be taking in all 20-plus hours.
“I’ll watch, but I’m not going to do anything special,” he said. “I don’t have big expectations either way. It should be interesting to see what happens.”
Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at daves@jamestownsun.com
Tags: sports, football, lamoure, arndt
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