Falcons' Seven McGee free agent signing took winding road to NFL opportunity

Seven McGee might never stick around in the NFL.

But the fact that he's gotten a minicamp invite from the Atlanta Falcons at all is a testament to the power of persevering through a winding journey.

McGee's travels began in high school, when the East High School star in Rochester, N.Y. transferred to a school in California. He never played there, but his return to East was bogged down by transfer rules and a highly publicized drama that even had rapper Big Boi tweeting about it.

Eventually, McGee took his talents to Oregon as a 4-star running back recruit. The Ducks converted him to wide receiver, and he didn't quite break through.

From there, it was on to Jackson State, and then to the University of Albany.

In 2024 for the Great Danes, he caught 47 passes for 644 yards and six scores, including a 75-yarder.

SN's NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available

McGee's journey to a minicamp contract with the Falcons is just one example of so many during draft season of a player who didn't get to the league in a straight line.

In his case, the hype was sky high early on. It's always tough to live up to that. 

Yet somehow, in the end, the door to the NFL is slightly ajar.

Every minicamp invite has a steep climb to turning that into a rookie contract. But it's a chance.

Given all the steps McGee has taken, it's safe to say he'll take a chance.

All you need is an opportunity! https://t.co/rbIBngXFoT

MORE NFL DRAFT:

• Shedeur Sanders will start when he's ready and could rescue Browns QB woes
• Meet new Giants RB Cam Skattebo, with giant quads and a fun name
• Jets pick a WR whose one main issue is 'hands'
• Dolphins make Tua Tagovailoa injury statement with Quinn Ewers pick
• Why Shilo Sanders, Buccaneers make sense together
• Raiders get Tom Brady's new Julian Edelman
• Lions draft pick makes Egyptian NFL history
• D.J. Uiagalelei might change positions in the NFL
• Jets add intriguing QB as free agent signing after NFL Draft
• Bengals get No. 1 undrafted free agent to sign with them
• Ravens sign RB who ran for 25 TDs in 109 carries
• Did Chiefs just find their Travis Kelce heir?
• Falcons pick up RB with insane 40-yard dash, vertical and bench press numbers
• Giants' signing is one of best RB athletes in draft history