The NFL may be filled with superstars and multimillionaires, but it also has its share of lunch-bucket players who made it the hard way.
Former USF defensive lineman Decarius Hawthorne is hoping he will be in that latter group. After going undrafted, he signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams announced it's a one-year deal, but according to Spotrac, it’s actually a three-year contract worth $2.965 million, with a base pay of $840,000 this season.
We've signed DL Decarius Hawthorne to a 1-year deal. ⤵️
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 10, 2025
Before Hawthorne can think about his payday, however, he has to make the team. The contract calls for no guaranteed money.
An estimated 15 to 20 undrafted free agents make NFL rosters each year. Many others wind up on practice squads throughout the league, where it’s estimated they can make $100,000 or more.
Hawthorne started 13 games last season for the Bulls after transferring from Florida Atlantic. He had 40 tackles last year, nearly equaling the 46 he had in four seasons with the Owls.
He also had 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for the Bulls.
One play stood out in particular. Late in the game against Miami, with the outcome already decided, Hawthorne ran across the field to make a tackle.
USF head coach Alex Golesh made a point to his team about the play.
“I pointed him out in front of the team on Monday morning in our team meeting, That play at the end of the game, long run, man,” Golesh said last year.
“Hawk’s the defensive end on the backside, and there was literally zero chance Hawk is going to make the play. Hawk’s 290 pounds, like he would catch anybody. He goes as fast and as hard as he can. And I stopped the film in front of the entire team. I said, that's winning football.”
After the draft, Hawthorne was invited to the Buffalo Bills' rookie minicamp. The team did not offer him a contract.
Counting Hawthorne, the Rams have 11 defensive linemen on the roster. Most observers consider it a team strength with good depth, so the odds may be stacked against him.
However, the Rams obviously thought enough of Hawthorne to give him a shot. That counts for a lot, especially if he can get into a preseason game and show something on tape.
Even if he doesn’t make the Rams, a good showing might entice other teams to give him a chance.