Badet chases NFL goal at Shrine Game
ST. PETERSBURG — It’s been an eventful past few months for former Orlando Freedom High receiver Jeff Badet, who capped his collegiate football career Saturday at the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field.
Badet, who played his first three years at Kentucky before transferring as a graduate student to Oklahoma for his final season, was part of the Sooners’ Big 12 championship team.
Badet saw his quarterback, Baker Mayfield, win the Heisman Trophy and got to play in the Rose Bowl against Georgia in a College Football Playoff semifinals.
“That was a great experience to be able to play in that historic stadium that’s been the granddaddy of them all,” Badet said. “It was just really a blessing and it was a lot of fun.”
In the Shrine Game, Badet made the most of his chances, catching all but one of his six targeted passes for 42 yards.
“I knew I had to come out here and make plays and continue to build my draft stock,” Badet said. “It was a true blessing to be able to play with guys that I actually went against this season and some guys from different conferences.
“You get a whole week to spend some time with guys that you really didn’t meet … get a chance to play with each other instead of against each other.”
He had a good season at Oklahoma, finishing as one of the Sooners’ top five receivers with 26 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 313 yards in kickoff returns.
The shifty, speedy Badet, who is 6-foot, 178 pounds, will be considered mostly as an NFL slot receiver.
Badet said he talked with scouts from every NFL team this week during practice sessions as they tried to get to know him better.
He said he’s unsure of what his NFL draft status is, but he has high hopes.
“I really don’t know where I’m [at], like my rankings or my stock or anything,” Badet said. “I’m just making sure throughout the process that I’m getting better and just showing the NFL teams my capabilities on the field.
“I got great feedback. [They’re] pretty much telling me what I need to work on, telling me what I’m good at and just pretty much telling me to keep going.”
Like most young football players, Badet always dreamed of playing in the NFL, but now he sees the opportunity within his grasp and realizes it’s something he can accomplish.
“It’s crazy. It’s been a dream I’ve been chasing for so long and it’s literally right here,” Badet said.
“I just gotta make sure I’m doing all the right things, staying healthy and getting better every day.
“I know there are some Central Florida guys in the NFL, so I’m just trying continue that tree and represent Central Florida.”