Federal Way’s Bodiford makes Oakland’s practice squad

By Casey Olson • September 10, 2010 12:34 pm
Federal Way High School graduate Shaun Bodiford made the Oakland Raiders' practice squad. The wide receiver/kick returner has been with five NFL teams during the past five years after starring at Portland State University.
Federal Way High School graduate Shaun Bodiford made the Oakland Raiders' practice squad. The wide receiver/kick returner has been with five NFL teams during the past five years after starring at Portland State University.

Federal Way High School graduate Shaun Bodiford didn’t earn a spot on the Oakland Raiders’ 53-man roster last weekend. But the wide receiver/kick returner is still property of the Raiders.

Oakland and head coach Tom Cable placed Bodiford on the team’s practice squad Saturday. Practice squad players practice alongside regular roster players during the week, but they are not allowed to play in actual games.

Each NFL team may keep up to eight members on its practice squad in addition to the 53-member main roster. They consist mostly of rookies who were cut in training camps and borderline NFL-caliber players. Both rookies and young veterans are eligible for the practice squad.

The 5-foot-10, 187-pound Bodiford also spent last season on the Raiders’ practice squad. Oakland is Bodiford’s fifth NFL team in his five-year career. He signed with the Raiders last November.

Bodiford came out of Portland State University as an undrafted free agent in 2006, but eventually made the Green Bay Packers’ roster. He has played in a total of 12 games during his NFL career with the Packers, Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins and New York Giants. As a receiver, he has only one regular-season catch for 13 yards, which came in 2007 while playing with the Packers.

But most of Bodiford’s playing time has come on special teams. He has returned seven kickoffs for 122 yards and six punts for 25 yards. Bodiford also has three tackles on special teams.

Bodiford hasn’t played in a regular season NFL game since 2007 with the Packers. He spent the last two years on practice squads with the Giants and Raiders.

During the preseason, Bodiford caught three passes for 33 yards, including a long of 17 yards. Two of those catches came during the Raiders’ 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in their preseason finale Sept. 2. Bodiford also returned a punt 17 yards during Oakland’s second preseason game against Chicago on Aug. 21.

After starring at Federal Way High School, Bodiford attended Butte (Calif.) Junior College during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He played at Butte with current Green Bay starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

He then transferred to Portland State University, where he led the Vikings with 51 catches for 545 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.

While at Federal Way High School, Bodiford lettered twice in football and track and was the Eagles’ offensive player of the year as a senior in 2001. As a running back, he rushed for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns and earned second-team All-South Puget Sound League honors. He was also all-league as a cornerback with 65 tackles and five interceptions as a senior.