Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU's Beydoun and Oakes Receive NFL Camp Invites
5/1/2023 11:49:00 AM | Football
The duo become the 23rd and 24th former Eagles to earn a NFL mini-camp invites in the Creighton era
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – A pair of former Eastern Michigan University football players will have a chance to continue their playing career, as wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) and tight end Gunnar Oakes (Swanton, Ohio-Swanton) received NFL minicamp invitations following the NFL Draft. Beydoun will join the New York Jets, while Oakes will be with the Atlanta Falcons.
Since 2015, Eastern football has had five players drafted and 24 more sign free-agent or minicamps deals.
A three-time nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy for the nation's best walk-on, Beydoun ranks third in EMU history with 2,345 yards receiving while his 216 receptions are also third most. A Third Team All-MAC selection, the Dearborn, Mich., native was on the Paul Hornung, Biletnikoff, and Maxwell Award Watch Lists. He led the Eagles with 49 receptions during the season for a total of 473 yards and four touchdowns.
Oakes has been the ultimate team player for EMU. Having played in 49 games, the Swanton, Ohio, product caught 56 passes for 621 yards and two TDs. Earlier this year, he was drafted with the first pick of the seventh round of the USFL Draft by the Michigan Panthers.
For the first time since 1977, multiple EMU football student-athletes had their dreams come true at the 2023 NFL Draft held outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., April 27–29. Offensive lineman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville) was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round (117th overall), while defensive end Jose Ramirez (Lake Alfred, Fla.-Auburndale-Arizona-Riverside City) was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round (196th overall).
The duo marked the first time in 46 years that multiple EMU players have been drafted in the same season. That year, Mark Carter went to the Miami Dolphins in the 10th Round (264 overall) and Jim Stansik headed to the San Diego Chargers in the 12th Round (319 overall).
Watch the stars of the future as Eastern Michigan football season tickets are on sale. EMU continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for just $150. This package includes a wide chairback with armrests on the 50-yard line along with VIP season parking. Chairback Season Tickets are $120 and include a chairback in Reserved Sections 104-109. Reserved season tickets are just $108 (Reserved Sections 104-109), while General Admission season tickets are $84 (Sections 110-114 and the visiting side). Call 734.487.ENOW (3669) or visit EMUEagles.com/tickets
Follow Us On Social
For more information on Eastern Michigan football, follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/EMUFB, by Facebook at Facebook.com/EasternMichiganFootball, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/EMUFB.
NFL Draft Picks Under Chris Creighton (5)
Jose Ramirez - 2023
Sidy Sow - 2023
Maxx Crosby - 2019
Pat O'Connor - 2017
Darius Jackson - 2016
NFL Free Agent Signees/Mini-camp Invites Under Chris Creighton (24)
Gunnar Oakes - 2023
Hassan Beydoun- 2023
Thomas Odukoya - 2022
Jake Julien - 2022
Mathew Sexton - 2021
Kevin McGill - 2020
Steven Nielsen - 2020
Jeremiah Harris - 2019
Blake Banham - 2019
Ka'John Armstrong - 2019
Sergio Bailey II - 2018
Juan Giraldo - 2018
Brogan Roback - 2018
Ike Spearman - 2018
Andrew Wylie - 2017
Cole Gardner - 2017
DaQuan Pace - 2017
Clay Dawson - 2016
Rob Bolden - 2015
Willie Creear - 2015
Lincoln Hansen - 2015
Bronson Hill - 2015
Kevin Johnson - 2015
Tyreese Russell - 2015
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – A pair of former Eastern Michigan University football players will have a chance to continue their playing career, as wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) and tight end Gunnar Oakes (Swanton, Ohio-Swanton) received NFL minicamp invitations following the NFL Draft. Beydoun will join the New York Jets, while Oakes will be with the Atlanta Falcons.
Since 2015, Eastern football has had five players drafted and 24 more sign free-agent or minicamps deals.
A three-time nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy for the nation's best walk-on, Beydoun ranks third in EMU history with 2,345 yards receiving while his 216 receptions are also third most. A Third Team All-MAC selection, the Dearborn, Mich., native was on the Paul Hornung, Biletnikoff, and Maxwell Award Watch Lists. He led the Eagles with 49 receptions during the season for a total of 473 yards and four touchdowns.
Oakes has been the ultimate team player for EMU. Having played in 49 games, the Swanton, Ohio, product caught 56 passes for 621 yards and two TDs. Earlier this year, he was drafted with the first pick of the seventh round of the USFL Draft by the Michigan Panthers.
For the first time since 1977, multiple EMU football student-athletes had their dreams come true at the 2023 NFL Draft held outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., April 27–29. Offensive lineman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville) was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round (117th overall), while defensive end Jose Ramirez (Lake Alfred, Fla.-Auburndale-Arizona-Riverside City) was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round (196th overall).
The duo marked the first time in 46 years that multiple EMU players have been drafted in the same season. That year, Mark Carter went to the Miami Dolphins in the 10th Round (264 overall) and Jim Stansik headed to the San Diego Chargers in the 12th Round (319 overall).
Watch the stars of the future as Eastern Michigan football season tickets are on sale. EMU continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for just $150. This package includes a wide chairback with armrests on the 50-yard line along with VIP season parking. Chairback Season Tickets are $120 and include a chairback in Reserved Sections 104-109. Reserved season tickets are just $108 (Reserved Sections 104-109), while General Admission season tickets are $84 (Sections 110-114 and the visiting side). Call 734.487.ENOW (3669) or visit EMUEagles.com/tickets
Follow Us On Social
For more information on Eastern Michigan football, follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/EMUFB, by Facebook at Facebook.com/EasternMichiganFootball, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/EMUFB.
NFL Draft Picks Under Chris Creighton (5)
Jose Ramirez - 2023
Sidy Sow - 2023
Maxx Crosby - 2019
Pat O'Connor - 2017
Darius Jackson - 2016
NFL Free Agent Signees/Mini-camp Invites Under Chris Creighton (24)
Gunnar Oakes - 2023
Hassan Beydoun- 2023
Thomas Odukoya - 2022
Jake Julien - 2022
Mathew Sexton - 2021
Kevin McGill - 2020
Steven Nielsen - 2020
Jeremiah Harris - 2019
Blake Banham - 2019
Ka'John Armstrong - 2019
Sergio Bailey II - 2018
Juan Giraldo - 2018
Brogan Roback - 2018
Ike Spearman - 2018
Andrew Wylie - 2017
Cole Gardner - 2017
DaQuan Pace - 2017
Clay Dawson - 2016
Rob Bolden - 2015
Willie Creear - 2015
Lincoln Hansen - 2015
Bronson Hill - 2015
Kevin Johnson - 2015
Tyreese Russell - 2015
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DL
/ Football
2026 Eastern Michigan Football Schedule
Tuesday, March 24
Cinematic Recap: Pro Day 2026
Wednesday, March 18
2026 EMU Football Pro Day
Tuesday, March 17
Motor City MACtion: Eastern Michigan-Central Michigan Football to Play at Ford Field
Wednesday, January 21