By Max Moorman | @22Moorman

Sports Capital Journalism Program

INDIANAPOLIS – The redemption of Max Redfield continued here at the National Football League Scouting Combine. A path to an impressive spot in the NFL draft was once expected for Redfield before a series of legal issues and his dismissal from Notre Dame raised serious questions about his future.

His 2017 season at Indiana University of Pennsylvania led to first-team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association, an invitation to the combine, and the chance to show NFL organizations that he is work the risk.

Redfield, a former top-25 recruit out of Mission Viejo, California, played three years at Notre Dame. The direction of his career changed suddenly when he was one of several athletes arrested in August, 2016.

He was eventually dismissed from the university after he was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of an unlicensed handgun. Redfield avoided jail time but sat out of football for a year before joining the Crimson Hawks last summer.

He played in 13 games last season before being sidelined with a dislocated hip in a NCAA Division II quarterfinal. Redfield had 78 total tackles, third among the Crimson Hawks. He had four interceptions and defended against 13 passes. Redfield was one of 30 finalists for the Cliff Harris Award, which is given to the best small college defensive player in the country.

Redfield said he assured coaches and scouts that he is a changed man and the legal issues are behind him. He called the upheaval “the most difficult thing I have ever been through in my life….

“Football was taken from me,” he said, “and I didn’t know if I’d ever get it back.”

While at Notre Dame, Redfield played in at least 11 games in each of his three seasons. During his final year at Notre Dame in 2015, Redfield was fourth on the team in tackles with 64.

Redfield has gone through a lot and has taken steps to change the perspective that people and fans have of him. He has credited his support from his family and friends, as well as his teammates and coaches at IUP.

“Max Redfield has been a major positive influence on our program in all phases,” said IUP head coach Paul Tortorella. “Great player, great student, model citizen.”

Tortorella said Redfield won the leadership award for the program as voted by the coaching staff. The coach said Redfield was asked by the players to join their leadership council after being part of the program for just two weeks.

Redfield saw himself as an underdog at the combine. He understood he has become a lesser-known player. “It’s an incredible opportunity to come here and just speak for myself and just boost my draft stock as much as possible,” he said.