Former Hamilton teammates could be on same NFL field in August

Former Hamilton High School teammates Marcus Oliver and Adam Pankey didn’t hear their names called during the NFL Draft, but that didn’t stop everyone attending their joint party to erupt in cheers Saturday evening.

While Oliver, a linebacker from Indiana, was on the phone agreeing to terms on an undrafted free agent contract, Pankey was doing with the same with the Green Bay Packers.

“Everybody immediately started looking up the schedules to see what games are close that they could make and come watch us,” Oliver said. “When the first preseason game popped up, everyone went nuts.”

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That first preseason game is Aug. 10 at Lambeau Field, with Oliver and the Eagles taking on Pankey and the Packers.

Oliver said he also had interest from the Bengals, Patriots and Ravens, but he elected to go to Philadelphia.

“They did their research on me and their scouts were the ones in charge of our linebacker drills at my pro day,” he said. “I just feel like it’s the best system and best spot for me to be successful in my career and hopefully make the 53-man roster and eventually earn a playing time.”

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In addition to Oliver and Pankey, several other players with local connections also agreed to terms as UFAs.

Middletown grad Zach Edwards (Cincinnati) is headed to Tampa Bay, which means his first NFL preseason game will be in Cincinnati against the Bengals.

Fenwick defensive end Austin Gearing (Miami) is going to Kansas City. Two of his college teammates, offensive lineman Colin Buchanan (New Orleans) and defensive lineman JT Jones (Atlanta) also are getting a shot to play professional.

Ohio State wide receiver Dontre Wilson is headed to the Los Angeles Chargers, and Ohio State punter Cameron Johnston will join Oliver in Philadelphia.

Oliver said his surgically repaired knee is not only 100 percent, “it feels better than it’s ever felt.”

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The Eagles use a 4-3 defensive alignment, which is what Oliver ran at IU. He said they didn’t go into depth about how he’ll be used, but he expects they will want to play him in the middle, where he was for his senior year, and outside, where he played his first two years at Indiana and at HHS.

Philadelphia, which did not draft any linebackers, has a young group at the position with only two of the seven on the roster owning more than two years of experience.

One of those linebackers is Oliver’s former rival from Lakota West, Jordan Hicks.

“I’m excited to go to Philadelphia and get back to where I was and get even better,” Hicks said. “I’m looking forward to showing people the linebacker I am, not just what they saw this year with me playing MIKE.”

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