UW-Stout running back Ryan Englebert’s path to the NFL got a little smoother this weekend after a solid three-day rookie minicamp with the Cincinnati Bengals, but since the Bengals didn’t sign any contracts last weekend there are still no guarantees.

Englebert (6-0, 225) competed against five other running backs at the camp, including second-round draft pick Kenny Irons (5-11, 195 lbs.) of Auburn.

“I really feel like I outplayed him (Kenny Irons) all weekend,” said Englebert. “I feel like I had the best camp out of any running back there n to be honest.”

He is also competing against undrafted free agent signees Terry Caulley of Connecticut and Marcus Mason of Youngstown State for a spot on the roster.

More than 60 undrafted prospects tried out for the team last weekend and, according to www.redskins. com, Washington Redskins vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato, “We tell the agents that if [the tryout players] are better than the free agents that we signed, then we will replace them.”

With that in mind, things are looking good for Englebert as running backs coach Jim Anderson told him he had a great camp and to stay in shape because the Bengals anticipate seeing him in June, as they were very impressed.

“They didn’t sign anybody at the camp,” said Englebert, “but they wanted to see what guys have and who they were thinking about bringing to training camp. ... I got nothing but positive feedback.”

As mentioned earlier, there are no guarantees that Englebert will get signed but he said that he got the impression that they would sign him if/when he gets called back in June.

Englebert and Anderson weren’t the only ones who felt he had a good workout.

“I roomed with Stan White, starting fullback with Ohio State the past three years,” said Englebert. “He was always the one blocking for me. He pretty much flat out told me that I’m talented enough to play on his team at Ohio State. That meant a lot coming from a guy that played on one of the best teams in the country in Division 1.”

Now the waiting game continues as Englebert must stay in shape until June until find out his fate with the Bengals.

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