MFHS grad signs with NFL team

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  • MFHS graduate Ryan Becker (77) signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. Becker played left tackle for the Mustangs before transitioning to tight end at SMU. He will try to find a role in a high-powered NFL offense when training camps begin. File photo
    MFHS graduate Ryan Becker (77) signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. Becker played left tackle for the Mustangs before transitioning to tight end at SMU. He will try to find a role in a high-powered NFL offense when training camps begin. File photo
  • Becker
    Becker
  • SMU coaches tweeted in support of Becker when the news broke that he landed a training camp spot with the Arizona Cardinals. Contributed
    SMU coaches tweeted in support of Becker when the news broke that he landed a training camp spot with the Arizona Cardinals. Contributed
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From the Mustangs to the Cardinals, Marble Falls High School graduate Ryan Becker is continuing his football journey in the NFL.

Becker was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals and will have a chance to make the roster with team training camps just around the corner.

Becker played four seasons at Southern Methodist University at tight end. He pulled in 16 catches for 198 yards and five touchdowns.

He made the transition to tight end in college after playing primarily left tackle at MFHS. Now Becker has the chance to be part of a dynamic offense in Arizona led by second-year quarterback and offensive rookie of the year Kyler Murray.

The Cardinals also traded for DeAndre Hopkins considered by many to be one of the best wide receivers in the league — in the offseason, so Becker will have plenty of pass catchers surrounding him in the offense.

Arizona currently lists six tight ends on the roster. Tight ends were not heavily targeted in the Cardinals’ offense last year; Charles Clay led the position group with 18 catches on only 24 targets. Clay did not resign with Arizona and is a free agent.

Becker may carve out a role as a run blocking tight end. Murray is an adept scrambler from the pocket, and running back Kenyon Drake returns after a career high in yards last season.

Training camps have been in question ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but on June 5, the NFL allowed coaches to report to team facilities. Details are pending on whether training camps will begin on time, but teams will not be permitted to travel and can not hold joint practices with other teams.

In a typical year, training camps begin in the middle to the end of July.