Regional football prospects continue chasing pro dreams during NFL camps, CFL regular season

QUINCY — Day by day, football season draws near.

This week, gridiron fans get their first taste of the upcoming season as NFL training camps get underway. Rookies and veterans for both the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs have reported, and every team will have its camp in full swing by Wednesday.

A handful of players with regional ties will be fighting for spots. Here’s a look at what to watch for both in NFL training camps and the ongoing Canadian Football League season:

Andrew Rupcich, offensive line, Tennessee Titans

The former Culver-Stockton College All-American left tackle enters his third NFL season having gone from undrafted free agent to practice squad player to making his NFL debut last November.

The 6-foot-6, 318-pound Rupcich played in five games last fall, starting twice. However, a coaching change and multiple additions to the offensive line during the offseason will make it a challenge for Rupcich to make the opening week roster.

The Titans signed center Lloyd Cushenberry, guard Saahdiq Charles and tackle Geron Christian in free agency, while trading for tackle Leroy Watson IV. They drafted Alabama tackle JC Latham with the seventh overall pick and signed two undrafted free agent linemen. There are 15 offensive linemen in training camp with 10 expected to make the roster.

But don’t count Rupcich out. His relentless work ethic and value as a guard or a tackle makes him a commodity, even if he begins the season on the practice squad. 

Khalen Saunders, defensive tackle, New Orleans Saints

The Western Illinois University product is beginning his sixth season in the NFL and is a projected starter in the middle of the front of the Saints’ 4-3 base defense. He started 15 games last fall in his first season with New Orleans after spending the previous four in Kansas City.

The 6-foot, 324-pound Saunders played on two Super Bowl champion teams with the Chiefs and has played 53 career games with 20 starts, 131 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. He had a sack in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

LaCale London, nose tackle, Atlanta Falcons

With two starting spots secure — defensive end Grady Jarrett and nose tackle David Onyemata return — and Zach Harrison coming off the other, the Falcons could have one of the more stout defensive lines in the NFC. London figures into the mix as the backup as nose tackle.

The Western Illinois University graduate is listed second on the depth chart at the start of training camp, although there should be plenty of competition throughout camp. The 6-foot-3, 297-pound London, who played at Peoria Central, was signed in 2020 as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears and played in one NFL game over a three-year span.

After being waived in 2022, he played one season in the XFL for the St. Louis Battlehawks before signing with the Falcons in 2023. He played in seven games last season with 13 tackles and one fumble recovery.

Jaelon Acklin, wide receiver, Ottawa Redblacks

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Western Illinois University in 2018 by the Baltimore Ravens, Acklin was waived during training camp and went to the Canadian Football League. After two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he signed with Ottawa and continues to be a productive pass catcher in his third season there.

Through six games this season, he has 24 receptions for 258 yards and one touchdown.

In five seasons up north, Acklin has 274 career receptions for 3,705 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Clint Ratkovich, fullback, Saskatchewan Roughriders

Twice named a first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference fullback while playing at Western Illinois University, Ratkovich recently scored his first career touchdown when he caught a 15-yard scoring pass from Shea Patterson on July 19 against Winnipeg.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Ratkovich went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft due to an ACL injury, but he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons following his recovery. He played in three preseason games for the Falcons in 2023 before being released. He signed with the Roughriders in February.

In 35 games with the Leathernecks, Ratkovich rushed 97 times for 429 yards and three touchdowns, while catching 128 passes for 1,204 yards and 10 TDs. He spent his final season of eligibility at Northern Illinois.