GREEN BAY — All the talk is about the Packers second round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, wide receiver Christian Watson. However, their last wide receiver taken in the 2022 draft could make an impact as well.
In the seventh round Green Bay drafted Samori Toure who had an unlikely journey to the NFL. He started at the FCS level with the Montana Grizzlies setting the school record for most yards (1,495) in a season in 2019 before transferring to the Nebraska Cornhuskers to finish his college career.
“I know I was a late round draft pick but all that matters is that I'm here now,” Toure said. “I’m very confident and very optimistic in my abilities.”
Toure only received three NCAA Division One offers coming out of high school and despite leading the Cornhuskers in receiving yards with 898 yards, he wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine.
“I've always had that chip on my shoulder,” he said. “It's something that I'll carry with me, but at the end of the day, like I said, we’re all here now.”
The wide receiver says he didn’t change his game much going from Montana to Nebraska, he just fine tuned the details.
“Being able to play against the best competition, being in the Big Ten is something that I feel like prepared me pretty well for the NFL,” said the new Packers wide receiver. ”I think I still could have made it (to the NFL) out of Montana, but I think Nebraska better prepared me for the NFL.”
The new Packer put up eye popping stats (87 receptions for 1,495 yards and 13 touchdowns) in his final season with the University of Montana, and also in his lone season with the Cornhuskers (19.5 yards per reception). Toure amassed those numbers with quarterbacks not considered NFL talent. Now, he gets to play with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Aaron Rodgers.
“I'm definitely looking forward to it,” Toure said. “He’s one of the greatest quarterbacks to do it. Anytime you’re in the same building as a guy like that, it’s always a blessing and a good opportunity.”
Toure also has some familiar faces on the team. He prepared for the draft at Exos in San Diego with now teammates wide receiver Romeo Doubs and offensive lineman Sean Rhyan.
“I feel like I came into a really good situation. A lot of good young guys and some vets as well. I'm just excited to meet everybody in the receiver room and I'm just excited to compete,” said Toure.
