Valentin Senn had dreams of playing in the NFL. But at times, he felt that's all it would be.
Before football was ever a thought, Senn's passion was soccer. Growing up in Volders, Austria, he played the sport for 11 years. However, his 6-foot-7 frame made him stick out on the pitch like a sore thumb.
"I was a little out of place there," Senn said. "I didn't know that I was athletic or my body abilities because they were definitely not used or even misplaced when it comes to soccer."
His focus shifted in 2015 after a friend encouraged him to trade the shin pads for some shoulder pads. By the start of that upcoming Austrian Football League season, Senn made the roster as a wide receiver, and he was the sole recipient of every deep pass. There was a brief stint at tight end before Senn found his footing at offensive tackle.
Senn had a goal to become the best tackle in Europe. That was accomplished once ESPN listed him as the No. 2 player on the continent. Senn moved to the United States, playing college football at Colorado before transferring to Connecticut, where he was a three-year starter at left tackle.
"The more I played, the more I achieved and realized what is possible," Senn said. "I started out having fun and then I dived all the way into the process of the offseason grind and getting better at something."
The Cardinals brought in Senn as an undrafted free agent. The Austrian replaces fellow countryman Bernhard Seikovits as the player eligible to fill the exempted International Pathway Program player role. The NFL allows each team to have a 17th practice squad spot designated for an international player.
"I'm grateful to have an opportunity to get my foot in the door and make the most out of that," Senn said. "No matter where that will be, what role for the team, or wherever the coaches see me, I'm going to trust the process and put my head down and work."
It'll be a challenge for Senn to make the 53-man roster considering the depth at offensive tackle with Kelvin Beachum and Christian Jones serving as swing tackles. Senn could see action if the Cardinals opt to elevate him from the practice squad.
"You're developing and hoping to keep improving so one day you have a chance to fight for a full-time active roster spot," he said.
From working with NFL experienced coaches in Austria to his new home in the desert, Senn's repeatedly shared his eagerness to learn. As he reflects on his journey, all while wearing the Cardinals logo on his shirt, his NFL dream is starting to look more like a reality.
"When I was in college, my whole thing was to be very professional about the job and perfecting the craft," Senn said. "I feel like it has more meaning to it now. I'm trying to model my habits after the people that have done it. It's fun, but there's still a lot to learn."
