UNC in the NFL: Austin Proehl stands out at rookie minicamp
By Zack Pearson
Former UNC wide receiver Austin Proehl has made an early impression at rookie minicamp
It’s been a few weeks since Austin Proehl heard his named called in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. But it hasn’t taken him long to make an impression on his new team.
The Buffalo Bills decided to draft Proehl during April’s NFL Draft in hopes of boosting a wide receiver core that struggled last season. Proehl was a reliable target throughout his career at the University of North Carolina and he’s hoping to follow in his dad’s footsteps in the NFL.
Over the weekend the Bills hosted their minicamp for rookies, spanning three days as coaches were able to work with their new players for the first time. With the media in attendance, Proehl made a quick impression on at least one reporter for the Bills during rookie minicamp.
BuffaloBills.com reporter Chris Brown wrote on five things he noticed from the rookie minicamp and had some praise for Proehl.
Brown noted that Proehl had the ability to create some separation from defensive backs during team drills. Despite his height, Proehl was able to win some one-on-one matchups.
Here’s what he wrote:
"While there were a few receivers who turned in positive plays in the initial stages of rookie minicamp, seventh-round pick Austin Proehl demonstrated a knack for gaining separation."
Proehl was working with new quarterback Josh Allen who the Bills took with one of their first-round picks. He might have been going up against rookie and undrafted defensive backs but to see that he has already made an impression is a good thing.
If you watched Proehl over his career with the Tar Heels, you wouldn’t be surprised.
Proehl was able to impress in Larry Fedora’s offense, playing with Marquise Williams, Mitchell Trubisky, Nathan Elliott, Chazz Surratt and Brandon Harris in his career. He was always a reliable receiver for the Tar Heels and rarely dropped any passes.
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The Bills will host OTA’s next week, running through June 8th and then a mandatory minicamp from June 12-14. Training camp is set to open up in July and we can really get a feel for where Proehl stands in this offense.