Indianapolis Colts Pick Danny Pinter in Fifth Round of NFL Draft
April 25, 2020 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State football's Danny Pinter was the first player from the Mid-American Conference selected in the 2020 National Football League Draft when the Indianapolis Colts took the offensive lineman in Saturday's fifth round with pick number 149.
Pinter came to Ball State in 2015 as a tight end. After redshirting in his first year on the team, Pinter made 11 starts at tight end spanning 2016 and 2017. He then made the transition from tight end to offensive lineman in the spring of 2018. Over the winter and spring months, Pinter added 40 pounds to his frame to reach 295 pounds.
At the right tackle position, Pinter flourished in his final two years at Ball State. The native of South Bend, Indiana, was one of only two offensive players to start all 24 games in 2018 and 2019. Pinter helped the offense average league bests in passing yards per game in 2018 (252.9) and total offense in 2019 (463.0). He became the first Ball State offensive lineman to earn first team All-MAC accolades since Jordan Hansel in 2013.
The most recent Ball State players selected in the NFL Draft were defensive lineman Jonathan Newsome and quarterback Keith Wenning in 2014. The Indianapolis Colts picked Newsome in the fifth round while the Baltimore Ravens took Wenning in the sixth round. The last time a Ball State offensive lineman was picked in the NFL Draft was 2009 (Robert Brewster, Dallas Cowboys, third round).
Newsome played two years for the Colts and has since moved north to the Canadian Football League. He is headed into his second year with the BC Lions. Wenning played with four NFL teams, mainly on practice squads. He served as a back-up quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals during their 2015 playoff appearance.
Pinter came to Ball State in 2015 as a tight end. After redshirting in his first year on the team, Pinter made 11 starts at tight end spanning 2016 and 2017. He then made the transition from tight end to offensive lineman in the spring of 2018. Over the winter and spring months, Pinter added 40 pounds to his frame to reach 295 pounds.
At the right tackle position, Pinter flourished in his final two years at Ball State. The native of South Bend, Indiana, was one of only two offensive players to start all 24 games in 2018 and 2019. Pinter helped the offense average league bests in passing yards per game in 2018 (252.9) and total offense in 2019 (463.0). He became the first Ball State offensive lineman to earn first team All-MAC accolades since Jordan Hansel in 2013.
Pinter went on to play in the 2020 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena, California and then showed off his skills at the NFL Combine in February. Many NFL pundits expect Pinter to move to guard or center at the next level. Around the NFL's Nick Shook named Pinter to his 2020 All-Combine Team.South Bend ?? Muncie ?? Indianapolis
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 25, 2020
??: NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/4MVrH66uwL
The most recent Ball State players selected in the NFL Draft were defensive lineman Jonathan Newsome and quarterback Keith Wenning in 2014. The Indianapolis Colts picked Newsome in the fifth round while the Baltimore Ravens took Wenning in the sixth round. The last time a Ball State offensive lineman was picked in the NFL Draft was 2009 (Robert Brewster, Dallas Cowboys, third round).
Newsome played two years for the Colts and has since moved north to the Canadian Football League. He is headed into his second year with the BC Lions. Wenning played with four NFL teams, mainly on practice squads. He served as a back-up quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals during their 2015 playoff appearance.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.Indiana kid ready to grind. ?? #ColtsDraft pic.twitter.com/zz3iOcxUv7
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 25, 2020
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