Sometimes good football players fall through the cracks of the NFL draft. Then teams around the league sign un-drafted free agents in hopes of finding that diamond in the ruff. In the college gridiron, same goes for players that try to make the team as a walk on. For many of these players, it’s their last grasp of playing organized football. Some don’t give up on their dreams as they could head north to Canada & play in the CFL. Let’s not forget about these pop-up Spring leagues. Leagues like the USFL and part three of the XFL could be cementing themselves roots for years to come. Kurt Warner came out of the Arena League for which he played for the Iowa Barnstormers. Every year teams find un-drafted players that help their team in some way. The Chicago Bears seem like they always find a middle line backer even without trying. It took trading away Roquan Smith for the Bears to discover they might have his replacement on their roster without even knowing it. Suddenly “SAN” was “Born” in Jack Sanborn, a rookie linebacker un-drafted out of the University of Wisconsin.

Since Justin Fields has taken off, and I mean that on his escape-ability, his impressive 70-yard rushing touchdowns as he is like a magician out of the field disappearing when the pocket closes up. The Bears offense has been much-see TV. Since the Bears traded away several pieces of their defense, the roles have reversed. When the defense is on the field, you go grab another beer because they can hardly stop anybody these days. Then something catches your eye if you have a full beer, number 57. Someone speaks out loud your inner thoughts and asks the same thing. “Who the hell is this guy?”

It’s Jack Sanborn throwing Gared Goff down on the turf like a rag doll. Is Brian Urlacher dressed up wearing a different number? Sanborn has been Urlacher-like as he is involved in almost every play. Sanborn recorded 12 tackles as he led the team versus the Lions last weekend.

Jack Sanborn has football pedigree in the bloodstream. Jack’s father, Paul Sanborn, was an offensive lineman for the University of Oregon. Jack lost his father at the very young age of 4. Jack followed in his father’s footsteps as did his younger brother who now is playing linebacker at the University of Wisconsin. You scratch your head over how this kid at 22 years of age did not get drafted. As a Badger in dairy land, Sanborn played all four seasons as he was able to get in 11 games in his Freshman year. Sanborn’s play took off in year two as he led the Badgers in tackles with 80, 9 of them for a loss of yards. Sanborn even registered 5.5 sacks. Sanborn’s college career even gets better his third season as once again he led the Badgers in tackles for the second straight year. Sanborn was named All-Big Ten conference. Sanborn senior year was remarkable. Sanborn had 91 tackles, of which 16 of them were for a loss of yards. Sanborn had 5 sacks and was First Team All-Big Ten. Why was this kid not drafted? The Big Ten conference manufactured great defensive players like Sky Net producing Terminator soldiers in the Rise of the Machines.

I really like the fact that Jack Sanborn is a ,local kid out of Deer Park Illinois. Sanborn played high school football locally in Lake Zurich. In Sanborn’s senior year he was named the Pioneer Defensive Player of the Year for Lake Zurich High School. It gives the Bears two players with local ties, as tight end Cole Kmet played his High School Football at St. Viator in Arlington heights. The Bears may be moving to that suburb in the next few years. It really does not matter how Sanborn arrived with the Monsters of the Midway. Sanborn’s play makes the new Bears General Manager look like a genius. Ryan Poles has to be stoked seeing Jack Sanborn as the top rookie of week ten with his performance over the Lions. Sanborn had a monster-type game which included those 12 tackles. Two of them were for a loss, adding two sacks along with two QB hits. In his first start, Sanborn versus the Miami Dolphins, 7 tackles with six of them solo. Sanborn was stashed away most of the season playing special teams. Now he might be a future permanent piece on Head Coach Matt Eberflus’ defense. Bears still have plenty of holes on the entire roster. With a slew of draft picks banked and money to spend, the future looks bright. You have to love the fact that the team may have their future Middle Linebacker box checked. As a GM or even a fan, you have to love hitting on higher rounds of draft picks or even un-drafted free agents. This Bears coaching staff should get credit also for helping elevate Jack Sanborn’s play. Matt Nagy’s staff never was able to make players better then what they were. Make sure you have a full beer when the Bears defense takes the field and watch number 57.