Colts 2015 Player Preview: Offensive Lineman Tyler Hoover

When the Colts signed Tyler Hoover as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State, he was a defensive lineman who was hoping to earn a spot on the Colts roster.  Now, a year later, things are pretty similar, as Hoover is again with the Colts and again hoping to earn a spot on the roster - only this time, he's playing offensive line.

Hoover (6-7, 321 pounds) had a successful career at Michigan State, being a key part of a good defensive unit that had outstanding success during his tenure.  He played in 48 games (starting 23) along the defensive line and impressed enough to be signed as an undrafted free agent shortly after the 2014 NFL Draft concluded.  The Colts brought him in and he worked with them throughout the offseason, training camp, and the beginning of preseason.  Then, entering the third preseason game, the Colts asked him to play offensive line at tackle.  When the fourth preseason game rolled around, he played over 50 snaps at tackle - something he hadn't done since high school, and then only because of an injury.  The Colts waived him during final roster cuts, but he was quickly signed to the Colts practice squad.  He was released from the Colts' practice squad but signed by the Eagles to their practice squad, before he was released from theirs as well.  He didn't play anywhere for a little bit, but had a workout with the Raiders.  His agent called the Colts to let them know that Hoover might be signed by Oakland, and then the Colts signed him to their practice squad and ended up being offered a reserve/futures contract.  Hoover has been with the team this offseason, working along the offensive line and trying to earn a spot.  Speaking with MLive.com this offseason, Hoover recalled Andrew Luck coming up to him before the Colts' week two game against the Eagles last year (Hoover was with Philly at the time) and telling him that the team missed him, and Hoover says that Indianapolis "feels like home."

He's hoping to stick around in Indianapolis and earn a spot on the 53-man roster as a depth offensive lineman, but he certainly faces competition as he tries to do so.  The Colts may not have the great talent along the starting offensive line, but they do appear to have good depth options at the spot.  Those players include Joe Reitz, Lance Louis, Hugh Thornton, Donald Thomas, Ben Heenan, and whoever loses the starting center battle.  That is in addition to players like Ulrick John and Denzelle Good, both of whom were drafted in the seventh rounds of the past two drafts as project tackles by the Colts.  Considering that you could call Hoover a project tackle as well (last year was his first year playing the offensive lineman), he faces plenty of competition indeed.  At this point, it would appear as if he's on the outside looking in at the roster, as other players are more likely to take a depth spot.  Hoover can change that with an impressive training camp and preseason, however, and that would mean sticking around in Indianapolis - something he certainly wants to do.