Former Gustavus Adolphus College football player Ryan Hoag has signed a contract with the New York Giants. Hoag, a wide receiver, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, but was later cut by the Raiders in training camp. He flew to New York on Monday afternoon from his home in Minneapolis and worked out for the Giants on Monday evening. He signed a contract on Tuesday morning and has been assigned to the practice squad.
Hoag finished his Gustavus career as the program’s all-time leader in yards receiving with 2,232 and touchdown catches with 29. He also holds school records for blocked kicks in a season with three (2002) and touchdown catches in a season with 14 (2001). He is the first player at Gustavus to compile over 2,000 yards receiving in a career. Hoag also returned kicks and punts for the Gusties and finished third in Division III in kick returns this year with an average of 30.5 yards per return.
After workouts with several different NFL teams this season, Hoag had set his sights on preparing for next year before the call from the Giants came. He had just recently signed a contract with the Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League and was set to attend their training camp in January.