Joel Hofmann will spend his summer at a job that no other Ball State student will have.
On Sunday, Hofmann, an offensive tackle for the Cardinals, signed a rookie free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He is the first Cardinal to sign with a pro team.
Hofmann started all 12 games at tackle last season for an offense that set school records in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He also started the first four games of 2002 before suffering a season-ending injury.
"I was surprised last week when they started calling," Hofmann said. "It felt great once I signed the contract. It's something not a lot of people get to do."
Rams' personnel contacted Hofmann and expressed interest in him last week. They suggested he get an agent, so Hofmann signed with Richard Katz on Sunday. Katz immediately got in touch with St. Louis, who faxed him a contract.
As soon as the NFL Draft was over Sunday, when he officially became an undrafted free agent, Hofmann signed with the Rams for the league minimum of $136,000 a year. The amount jumps to $230,000 if he makes the active roster in August.
Quarterback Talmadge Hill, who relied on Hofmann's blocking for four years, said size is probably what interested the Rams in the 6-foot-7-inch, 301-pound lineman.
"He's got size and pretty good feet. I'm sure that's what they look at," Hill said. "His strength has always been his mobility. He moves really well."
Fellow offensive lineman Travis Barclay, like Hill, said he is proud of his teammate and knows he will do well in St. Louis.
"I know he'll work hard out there," Barclay said. "Joel always worked hard when he needed to, but he could be laid back, too. You could joke around with him."
Though Hofmann is excited about the prospect of playing in the NFL, he is particularly interested in playing for the Rams because of the talent that will surround him. St. Louis starts one of the best offensive tackle tandems in the league in three-time Pro Bowl selection Orlando Pace and Kyle Turley.
"I have a great opportunity to watch them and learn from them," Hofmann said.
Because a majority of undrafted free agents get cut before rosters are finalized, Hofmann isn't getting overly optimistic about his chances of making the team. Hill, however, said he should have a good chance of joining the active roster.
"I'm not going to doubt Joel," Hill said. "He's gotten stronger, and he's proven he can stay healthy. If he can perform consistently at that level, he's got a chance."
Other circumstances concerning Rams' linemen could also work to his advantage, Hofmann said.
"I won't know my chances until I get there," Hofmann said. "But it's a good opportunity for me because Pace is holding out on contract talks and Turley is hurt. The coach let me know the young guys were going to get a lot of reps. He sounds excited to get the rookies in there."
Hofmann's new job with the Rams starts this weekend. He'll be in St. Louis Thursday through Sunday for a rookie mini-camp. Though he's focused on making the team, he still has to worry about finals when he gets back to school Sunday.
"I'm trying to get all that (finals) stuff done before I head out to St. Louis," Hofmann said. "I only have two finals so I should be all right."
While Hofmann's four-year football eligibility at Ball State is up, he still has a semester of student teaching and a reflection course to complete for his elementary education major. He'll put next school year on hold for now as he has higher aspirations this summer.
"I'm heading home (to Liberty, Ind.) this summer and working out there until my next assignment date, May 16," Hofmann said.
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