A former Eagle is trading maroon and silver for green and gold.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) - A former Eagle is trading maroon and silver for green and gold.
UW-La Crosse offensive lineman Mike Bertoia was hoping to be selected in this weekend's NFL Draft, but he did not hear his name called.
After becoming a free agent, the Green Bay Packers offered him an invitation to their rookie minicamp. He accepted the offer and will soon head to the far side of the state.
Bertoia previously told News 19 that the Packers were among his top destinations. A reason for that was an existing relationship with Milt Hendrickson, the team's Director of Football Operations.
Now that he is going there, he can't wait to show off his skills after being named an All-American at the Division III level.
"It feels like fate," Bertoia said Sunday. "I always just wanted an opportunity and it's great that I got that opportunity relatively close to home. There were a couple that reached out, but the Packers were immediately after the draft ended. I had known Milt. He came and saw us play out in the fall. So I had consistent communication with him for a while. So I knew there was some sort of interest.
"You always got to go where you feel you fit best, and I felt that Green Bay was the spot. I felt like it was a great opportunity for me in a scheme that I felt I could really show all my talents. Even if another offer came, I still felt like schematically the best chance to make a team was with Green Bay."
The Packers have a need for young offensive lineman, given they drafted three of them over the weekend.
While participating in rookie minicamp does not guarantee a spot on the 90-man preseason roster and there are not many offensive line spots available, Bertoia feels the Packers can get the most out of his unique skill set.
"I think that I'm very physical and I think that's something any offensive line unit needs," Bertoia said. "I feel I excel in zone schemes and that's something that the Packers utilize a lot. I'm really versatile as well I feel like I can play tackle, guard, center. Whatever you need me to. I feel like that's something that the packers definitely value, is versatility. I mean, they got drafted for a reason.
"They're great players, but I think I'm a pretty good player too. So I'm excited to get to work with them. All I need is an opportunity to showcase my talents and I think that I'll be able to fight for a spot. Can never have too much depth on the offensive line."
Green Bay drafted 11 total players this week. They reportedly signed over a half dozen undrafted free agents and have a similar amount of rookie minicamp invitees, including Bertoia.
Packers rookie minicamp runs from May 2-4. The club's OTA's begin on May 20.
