Chasing the Dream
H'Town legends pursuing different paths to get on NFL rosters
Mar 8, 2019, 5:17 pm
Westfield's Tyler Batson living dream in Canada. Via VYPE
Originally Appeared on Vype
It's all about chasing that dream.
For some like Westfield's Ed Oliver, who will be selected in the first-round of the upcoming NFL Draft, it's easy.
For others, the path is non-traditional.
Over a dozen former Houston-area high school football legends are playing professional football en route to getting on a NFL 53-man roster.
The Canadian Football League and the Alliance of American Football are giving more opportunities to NFL hopefuls, including former H'Town stars.
"I've been out of football for a year since college," Tyler Batson, formerly of Westfield and UTEP said. "Out of college, I didn't get an NFL free agent workout or invited to a camp. I just never gave up on the dream.
"I took that year off to get healthy physically and signed with an agent who really worked for me. I got a CFL tryout in Dallas and killed it. I signed with the Edmonton Oilers and will leave for training camp in April.
"Honestly, I didn't know much about the CFL or the tradition of the Oilers, but I've done a ton a research now. I just kept putting in work, knowing that my opportunity would come. I've accomplished the goal of becoming a professional football player and now my goal is to play in the NFL."
Batson will be picking up the new CFL rules and the playbook before moving in April, but he has the intangibles.
"I combine a great football IQ, size, speed and physicality," he said. "I specialize in explosive plays and I feel like any team can use those capabilities."
A pair of FCS Walter Payton Offensive Players of the Year from Houston are also on CFL rosters in Bo Levi Mitchell (Katy) and Jeremiah Briscoe (Stratford). One of the city's all-time leading rushers Trey Williams (Dekaney) has recently been picked up by the Alliance of American Football.
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Luis Robert Jr. tied it with an RBI single with two outs in the sixth inning, stole second base and scored the go-ahead run on Edgar Quero's single as the Chicago White Sox rallied to beat the Houston Astros 5-4 on Sunday in a game shortened to seven innings by rain.
The game was delayed for 80 minutes before being called. It was the White Sox’s second series victory of the season and their first series win against the Astros since July 2021. Chicago had lost or split its last six series with Houston.
Chicago reliever Mike Vasil (1-1) earned his first career win after holding the Astros without a hit in 2 1/3 innings.
Lance McCullers Jr. made his first start for Houston since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series. The 31-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons, but kept the White Sox scoreless Sunday in 3 2/3 innings. McCullers allowed three hits, walked three and struck out four.
Astros reliever Steven Okert (1-1) allowed two earned runs in one inning. Zach Dezenzo hit his first homer of the season for Houston and Mauricio Dubón had a two-run single.
Key moment
With two outs in the sixth and a rain delay looming, Robert dropped a 2-1 pitch into center field for a single. Chase Meidroth came around to score from second, tying it at four. Robert stole second, enabling Quero to bring him home on what turned out to be the winning base hit.
Key stat
Entering Sunday, Chicago was 30th in the majors with runners in scoring position, hitting just .202 this season. The White Sox initially struggled, but finished the game 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position. All five of the team’s runs came with two outs.
Up next
The Astros will continue their road trip in Milwaukee, while the White Sox head to Kansas City for a four-game series against the Royals. Both series are scheduled to begin Monday.