When former Utah wide receiver John Madsen signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders back in April, he knew it might not be for very long. After all, he didn't play high school football and had to walk on at both Snow College and Utah in order to keep playing football. Despite everything against him, Madsen managed to show enough potential to survive the final cut down and miraculously make the Raiders' 53-man roster.
"It's a dream come true," Madsen says. "Things haven't come easy — I had to walk on at a junior college, then walk on at Utah and basically, I walked on here with the Raiders," he said.
The former Hunter High basketball star tied Randy Moss in the preseason with five catches, second only to team leader, Johnny Morant, with nine.
No question the Raiders liked the free agent from West Valley but not as a wide receiver. Instead, they moved Madsen to tight end. Converting former basketball players into tight ends is the norm when you live in the AFC West.
But Madsen isn't saying he'll be the next Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez, he just wants to help his team win. The 6-foot-5 rookie believes it could be a blessing in disguise even though he's never played the position. "I have to get a little bigger and become a better blocker," he says. "To me, it's just football," he explained.
Madsen did fairly well adjusting to his new role in Oakland's third pre-season game. Against the 49ers, he snagged two catches for 52 yards, including a 35-yard catch and run. Madsen not only showed the "Raider Nation" what he could do but also got kudos from his friend and current Niners QB, Alex Smith. The two Utes exchanged greetings and Smith told Madsen that he belongs out there.
Getting used to the speed and intensity of the NFL has been a question often asked of Madsen. He watched defensive monsters like Shawn Merriman and Ray Lewis destroy the Raiders offense in the team's first two games. When it actually counted, Madsen's impressions from the sidelines were shock and awe.
"Intimidating," he said. "Shawn Merriman was just flying all around, and we saw enough of Ray Lewis, that's for sure. Once you're out there, football is football. But you're playing with grown men; it's the best of the best," Madsen says.
After a disastrous 0-2 start, the Raiders are last in the league in total yards gained and have given up 15 sacks. Even though Madsen will be expected to contribute mainly on special teams, he could be given an opportunity in the offense soon if Shell's starters can't rebound from the rough start.
For now, the former Ute is just living the dream and probably still grinning from ear-to-ear, because he's made it. He also remembers his roots in Utah and the coaches who prepared him for the NFL. "I still think without Urban Meyer and Billy Gonzales (former receiver coach), I wouldn't be here today — they really helped me become a physical player."
Other Utah prep athletes like Brighton's Reno Mahe and Orem's Chad Lewis have taken similar paths to the NFL but none like Madsen's.
E-mail: tpeterson@desnews.com