This weekend, the NFL will welcome hundreds of new players when it holds its annual draft.
One Cleveland native, however, is currently looking to take a different route to the football's highest level.
If you happen to be driving down Lou Groza Blvd. in Berea, you might notice something unusual. That would be former Towson linebacker and Cleveland native Monte Gaddis standing outside the Cleveland Browns' facility begging for a tryout with the team.
In an Instagram post that has garnered more than 1,300 likes in four hours, the 27-year-old Gaddis continued to make his pitch in an effort to obtain an opportunity with his hometown team."
"CLEVELAND, I NEED YOU WITH THIS ONE," he wrote. "I’ve heard the Cleveland Browns fan base were ranked #1, well let’s prove it‼️#GaddisToTheBrowns ..... I’m back standing here in front of the Browns practice facility until I get my shot. I’m very passionate & humbled about this, and I know what I can bring to the table. Grit, Passion, Blue-Collar, Determination and a Hometown Hero."
A graduate of Cleveland Central Catholic High School, Gaddis initially walked on at Maryland, before transferring to Towson, where he started at middle linebacker for the Tigers. In 2013, he started all 16 of the FCS program's games, tallying 124 tackles, 8 of which came for a loss, 2.5 sacks and 2 interceptions.
After going undrafted in 2014, Gaddis turned his attention to Rugby, joining the Red Star Rugby League in Serbia.
"Even though you know 'plan A' is always there... you have to have something on the side or even a brand," he told WKYC.com last year. "Get you a brand, put something out there in the world that somebody can’t take from you."
Now Gaddis has brought his brand back to Cleveland, where he is once again begging the Browns for a tryout -- just as he previously did in 2015. This time, however, he believes his rugby experience makes him a more qualified candidate as he remains hopeful that his "time is now."
"Playing a season of Rugby League then coming back to the states to excel at [The Spring League] in the same year shows the determination. I’m willing to block, run, tackle and do whatever to be apart of the organization," he wrote.
"I’m not afraid of working hard as you can see from my resume, I’ve been consistent since the last time I’ve stood out here. BUT THE TIME IS NOW‼️ If you know me, played with me, worked with me or trained with me then you know how much work I’ve put in."