Graduating St. Thomas football players Garrett Maloney and Willie Schneider received invitations to compete for a roster spot on the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts, respectively, last Monday.

Maloney, a punter, was selected for the All-MIAC team twice and was a preseason All-American in 2013. Schneider, a fullback, was known as a great blocker during his time as a Tommie. He recorded four touchdowns in his career, and his uncle is Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider.

Coach Glenn Caruso said Maloney and Schneider must make the most of their opportunities to earn a spot on an NFL roster.

“I certainly think they had an opportunity,” Caruso said. “The more I watch pro football it’s not good enough anymore just to be good enough. There are guys at so many levels that don’t get those opportunities. I think it’s an absolute blessing they are getting their shot.”

Maloney, who is from Elm Grove, Wisconsin, and attended Marquette High School, is a marketing major. Not only did Maloney play football while at St. Thomas, but also spent some time on the hardwood as a member of the 2011 national champion St. Thomas basketball team. Caruso said Maloney turned down Division-I scholarship offers to attend a more well-rounded school.

“Garrett had a myriad of opportunities out of high school, with a ton of talent,” Caruso said. “He specifically chose St. Thomas for the balance that St. Thomas displays, but also for the opportunity of playing two sports.”

Schneider took advantage of the opportunity to play Division-I football and redshirted for the University of Minnesota in 2009. After that season, Schneider decided to bring his talents to St. Thomas. Schneider graduated from Cretin-Derham Hall, where he was a state runner-up and a three-time conference champion in football. He also played baseball and hockey.

“He’s kind of a workman,” Caruso said. “No matter what he does, he always outworks (his opponent). Whether he’s on the high end of talent, in the meaty part of the bell curve or – relative to where he may be going – if it’s in the NFL, looking up at some of the higher end talent, he’s always willing to outwork anybody, and I love that.”

These aren’t the first Tommies to get their shot at the professional level, and certainly not the last. Former St. Thomas defensive lineman Ayo Idowu is a linebacker for the Arena Football League’s Portland Thunder. Idowu was part of St. Thomas’ 2012 D-III runner-up team.

Caruso said Idowu left a different person after his time spent at St. Thomas.

“Ayo was a guy when he came in that was very, very raw, and there were a lot of people whose love had to be poured into Ayo in order for him to blossom to who he is,” Caruso said. “He really got the most out of a St. Thomas experience. He came in with talent, but left as a total person.”

The length of the NFL opportunity for Maloney and Schneider is unknown, but both will find out if they’re still on the team after rookie camp is over for the Vikings and Colts.

Jesse Krull can be reached at Krul7386@stthomas.edu.