Clay Cordasco has made numerous stops during his football career.
That includes three seasons playing at Sacopee Valley High School in South Hiram.
His next destination is in a much more visible and noteworthy location.
Cordasco, who completed his career at Oregon State University, has agreed to an undrafted free agent contract with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman is one of only two players with Maine connections thus far who have earned a shot to join an NFL squad.
University of Maine wide receiver and kick returner Earnest Edwards on Saturday reached an undrafted free agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
The 24-year-old Cordasco was born in New Jersey but later moved with his family to Cornish, where he attended Sacopee Valley, which was winless in his three seasons there.
He spent his senior year at Kennett High School in Conway, New Hampshire, and was an all-state honorable mention. He played offensive tackle, tight end and defensive line.
He did not attend college immediately after graduating from Kennett in 2014, but instead entered the workforce. In 2015, he enrolled at Pierce College in Los Angeles, then transferred to Los Angeles Valley College the following year.
Cordasco was recruited by Oregon State and redshirted in 2017, but wound up playing in 21 games the last two seasons under head coach Jonathan Smith. He started all 12 games at guard last season, helping pave the way for seven, 100-yard rushing performances for the 5-6 Beavers.
Although he was not invited to the NFL Combine in February, Cordasco did have a chance to show off his skills during Oregon State’s pro day last month.
He turned in noteworthy performances in skills such as the 40-yard dash, the 20-yard shuttle and the three-cone drill, according to draftscout.com.
He ran a 5.08 in the 40, a time that would have been second fastest in the interior line group and 10th among all linemen at the NFL combine. He ran 4.59 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle, an effort that would have beaten 25 of the 26 linemen at the combine.
His three-cone drill time of 7.57 seconds was better than 24 of the linemen who participated in the NFL’s event for high-profile draft prospects.
Cordasco is among six Oregon State players drafted or signed by NFL teams. Quarterback Jake Luton (Jacksonville), receiver Isaiah Hodgins (Buffalo) and offensive tackle Blake Brandel (Minnesota) all were drafted during the sixth round.
Running back Artavis Pierce (Chicago) and tight end Noah Togiai (Philadelphia) also gained undrafted free agent opportunities.