NFL minicamps are usually where dreams go to die quietly on a side field while the starters joke around near the hydration stations. But every once in a while, a name pops up that makes local fans sit up a little straighter. That’s exactly what happened with the Chiefs quarterback tryout Paxton DeLaurent.
If you aren't a deep-cut follower of the Ohio Valley Conference, you might’ve missed the rise of the 6-foot-5 kid from Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). He didn't just walk into Arrowhead; he forced his way onto the radar by putting up "video game" numbers in the FCS. Honestly, most people didn't even know who he was until Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston dropped the news that the Chiefs and Bills were both sniffing around him after the 2025 NFL Draft.
It's a classic underdog story, but with a weirdly modern twist. He’s a Missouri kid playing for a Missouri school, trying to catch on with the most dominant Missouri team in professional sports history.
Why the Chiefs Took a Look at Paxton DeLaurent
Andy Reid has a type. He loves quarterbacks who are tall enough to see over a defensive line and gutsy enough to throw into tight windows. DeLaurent fits that mold perfectly. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at roughly 230 pounds, he looks like he was built in a lab for an NFL pocket.
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During his final season at SEMO in 2024, DeLaurent was basically the entire offense. He threw for a staggering 4,073 yards and 33 touchdowns. He won the Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Year. You’ve probably seen the stats from the Illinois State game where he went 48-of-85 for 557 yards. Yes, 85 attempts. His arm probably needed an ice bath for a week after that one.
But here’s the thing most analysts get wrong. They look at the 15 interceptions he threw that year and assume he's just a "gunslinger" who can't take care of the ball. In reality, SEMO's scheme asked him to do everything. When you're throwing 50+ times a game, the math says you're going to have some turnovers. The Chiefs saw the traits—the quick release, the ability to process the field, and the sheer size—and figured he was worth a look as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) tryout.
The Rookie Minicamp Experience
Walking into the Chiefs' facility as a tryout player is a bit like being an extra in a blockbuster movie. You know the lead actors (Mahomes, Kelce) aren't really there to work with you. You’re there to show the coaching staff that you can handle the playbook without your head exploding.
The Chiefs quarterback tryout Paxton DeLaurent happened alongside other notable undrafted names like Zach Zebrowski and Spencer Petras. It was a crowded room. For DeLaurent, the challenge wasn't just physical; it was about proving that his FCS success wasn't a fluke of the level of competition.
- Size: He passed the "eye test" immediately. He didn't look out of place next to NFL-caliber athletes.
- Proximity: Being from Camdenton, Missouri, he already had the local support. Fans were rooting for the "hometown hero" narrative.
- The Bills Rivalry: The fact that Buffalo also wanted him for a minicamp invite suggests his "stock" was higher than your average small-school QB.
The Reality of the Chiefs QB Room
Let’s be real for a second. Breaking into the Chiefs' quarterback rotation is harder than getting into a Taylor Swift concert without a ticket. With Patrick Mahomes locked in for the next decade, the "battle" is always for the QB2 and QB3 spots.
At the time of DeLaurent's tryout, the Chiefs had already stabilized their backup situation by bringing in Gardner Minshew. They also had guys like Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun in the mix. For an undrafted kid from SEMO, the path to the 53-man roster was basically a vertical climb up a glass wall.
Tryouts like these are often about more than just a roster spot in Kansas City. NFL scouts talk. If you look good in a Chiefs uniform during a May minicamp, you might get a call from a team in the UFL or a different NFL squad looking for a practice squad arm later in August. It’s all about the tape.
What Most People Get Wrong About Small School QBs
There is this weird bias that if you didn't play in the SEC or Big Ten, you can't read an NFL defense. It's a bit of a myth. Some of the most successful backups—and even a few starters—came from the FCS or lower.
DeLaurent’s experience at Central Methodist (NAIA) before transferring to SEMO shows a kid who has "climbed the ladder" his whole life. He wasn't handed a starting job at a blue-blood program. He had to earn every snap. That kind of mental toughness is exactly what coaches like Matt Nagy and Andy Reid look for in a developmental player.
Actionable Insights for Following Small School Prospects
If you’re tracking players like Paxton DeLaurent or other small-school gems during the NFL offseason, there are a few things you should keep an eye on to see if they actually have a shot at sticking:
1. Watch the Transaction Wire for "Signed to a Contract" vs. "Tryout"
A "tryout" invite is just a weekend pass. If a team actually signs the player to the 90-man roster after minicamp, that’s when you should start paying attention. That means they liked what they saw enough to cut someone else to make room.
2. Look at the QB3 Competition
Usually, the QB3 is a "project" player. If the veteran backup is aging or on a one-year deal, the team is more likely to keep a young kid like DeLaurent on the practice squad to learn the system for a year.
3. Check the Preseason Snap Counts
If a tryout player makes it to the preseason, watch the fourth quarter of the second and third games. That’s where the "Paxtons of the world" get their chance to shine. One 60-yard touchdown drive against a bunch of tired third-stringers can change a career.
4. Follow Local Beat Writers
National guys won't talk about the fourth-string QB. Follow people who are actually at the training camp practices in St. Joseph. They’ll mention if a guy is consistently hitting his targets or if he's struggling with the snap count.
At the end of the day, the Chiefs quarterback tryout Paxton DeLaurent serves as a reminder of how deep the talent pool in Missouri really is. Whether he ends up on the active roster or becomes a footnote in Chiefs history, his journey from Camdenton to Arrowhead is a testament to the "grit" that small-school players have to possess.
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Keep an eye on the practice squad announcements as the season approaches. That is usually where players with DeLaurent's profile find their foothold in the league. If he can cut down on the turnovers and show he can handle the speed of an NFL defense, he might just stick around longer than the skeptics expect.