Report: Colts Work Out Four Players Including Former Ball State QB Keith Wenning
According to Howard Balzer, the Indianapolis Colts recently worked out four players including linebacker Beniquez Brown, cornerback Trae Elston, tight end Gabe Hughes, and quarterback Keith Wenning:
Colts tryouts reported: LB Beniquez Brown, CB Trae Elston, TE Gabe Hughes, QB Keith Wenning
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) November 30, 2016
Of course, the biggest name of the group is former Ball State quarterback Keith Wenning, who holds the university’s career records in touchdown passes (91), passing yards (11,187), pass completions (1,012) and attempts (1,598).
Originally a 6th round pick of the Ravens in the 2014 NFL Draft, Wenning spent his rookie season on the Baltimore practice squad before being signed by the Cincinnati Bengals a season later.
The 6’3″, 225 pound quarterback spent the majority of last season on the Bengals practice squad until he was promoted to their active roster in late December due to starter Andy Dalton‘s fractured thumb.
He remained with the Bengals this offseason until he was a part of the team’s final 53 man roster cuts in early September.
Through 4 preseason games this year, Wenning completed 21 of 43 throws (48.8%) for 212 total passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions for a passer rating of 51.7.
Brown is a 6’1″, 236 pound linebacker, who was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Mississippi State earlier this year. He was a part of the team’s final 53-man roster cuts before being both signed and released from the Packers practice squad shortly thereafter.
In 3 seasons with the Bulldogs, Brown had 200 tackles (94 solo), 22.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was their 2nd-leading tackler in his final two collegiate seasons.
Elston is a 5’11”, 176 pound cornerback, who was initially signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Mississippi following this year’s NFL Draft. He was released as part of the team’s final 53-man roster cuts and was later signed and released from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad.
As a 4-year starter with the Rebels, Elston had 252 tackles (153 solo), 11 tackles for loss, a sack, 5 interceptions (including 2 for touchdowns), 23 passes defensed, 3 fumble recoveries, and 2 forced fumbles.
Hughes is a 6’4″, 240 pound tight end, who was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins out of Florida Tech–the first player in school history to sign with an NFL team. However, he was a part of the team’s 75-man roster cuts.
Hughes caught 32 passes for 566 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns last season for Florida Tech, having started his collegiate career at Western Michigan.