S Tre Sterling is Green Bay Packers UDFA to Watch Closely

The Green Bay Packers have a rich history of undrafted rookies — or UDFAs — who end up playing significant roles on the team. In fact, right now, Allen Lazard and Robert Tonyan are two former UDFAs who have carved out significant roles at the NFL level.

But when it comes to making the 53-man roster in that first season, in addition to a UDFA showing on the field that they are deserving of that roster spot, there also needs to be room within that position group for them.

For example, any UDFA interior defensive lineman is going to have a hard time making the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster just because five of the roster spots are already accounted for with Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Dean Lowry, Devonte Wyatt, and Jarran Reed. On top of that, there is still Jack Heflin, who was on the roster in 2021, and seventh-round pick Jonathan Ford.

But on the other hand, there is a position like safety, where outside of Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos, the other two or three available roster spots are up for grabs.

After Savage and Amos, the safety group is made up of Innis Gaines and Shawn Davis, who have no career defensive snaps in the NFL, along with Vernon Scott, who saw 90 snaps as a rookie in 2020, but none this previous season, despite being on the 53-man roster. This makes safety a position group where a UDFA could find a roster spot because there is simply room for them.

So a name to watch this summer as training camp and the preseason unfolds for the Green Bay Packers is Tre Sterling from Oklahoma State.

Unfortunately, Sterling’s 2021 season was cut short to just three games due to injury; otherwise, he very well could have been a draft pick. However, during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, he was a mainstay in the Oklahoma State defense.

During that two-year span, Sterling would record seven quarterback pressures and 56 total stops, including 29 in 2020, which tied for the most among all safeties, according to PFF ($$).

In coverage, Sterling allowed 51 completions on 69 targets for only 9.1 yards per catch over those two seasons, with 10 pass breakups and three interceptions. By PFF’s coverage grade, Sterling would rank 25th out of all safeties in 2019 and seventh in this category during the 2020 season.

For what it’s worth, Sterling would also finish 33rd in overall grade among safeties in 2019 and 14th in 2020.

Over his career, Sterling was moved around, spending 555 snaps in the box, 331 as the free safety, and 386 in the slot. It’s also important to note that Sterling has 327 special teams snaps, which will be a phase of the game that he will have to contribute to if he hopes to make the 53-man roster.

From an athletic standpoint, Sterling didn’t test all that well. He measured in at 5’11” – 205 pounds but posted a RAS of 4.58, which also could have contributed to him going undrafted. The one drill where he really excelled was in the shuttle with a 4.14-second time. He also ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash.

For a closer look at Sterling’s game, here is what NFL Draft Bible had to say about his game:

"“A well-put-together safety who shows good play strength when playing in tight spaces. Smart player who excels when he is able to play as an underneath defender that plays near the line of scrimmage. Underwhelming athlete who has limited coverage abilities, struggles in space as a tackler and cover guy. Best fit at the next level will be in the box where a team would have to have a specific plan for how they want to use him.”"

Now, having said all of that, just because a few safety spots appear to be up for grabs doesn’t mean that Sterling is a front-runner for a roster spot. Scott, Gaines, and Davis all have a leg up with their year or two of experience on this Green Bay Packers team–and just being in the NFL, in general.

Ultimately we will have to see how training camp and the preseason unfolds, but given the need at safety along with Sterling’s performance at the college level, among all the UDFAs, he’s one to keep your eyes on this summer.