Former Sycamores Rochelle, O'Brien to get NFL mini-camp tryouts
Rashad Rochelle caught six passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns for Indiana State in a loss at Youngstown State last season, in the only 200-plus-yard performance by a Missouri Valley Football Conference receiver of 2025.
Triston O’Brien served as ISU’s starting long-snapper during the Sycamores’ 2024 campaign before transferring to East Carolina last season.
Now the two former Sycamores are headed to NFL rookie mini-camp tryouts.
Rochelle has accepted an invitation to the Carolina Panthers ’ rookie minicamp, the NFL club announced Monday afternoon.
O’Brien has received an invite to try out at the New Orleans Saints ’ rookie mini-camp, according to USA Today’s SaintsWire report.
Rochelle, a three-time All-American honoree, was recognized on the FCS Football Central Third Team, Associated Press Honorable Mention Team and the Phil Steele FCS Fourth Team.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Springfield, Ill., native was named across three different MVFC postseason teams, including First Team All-Conference all-purpose player, Second Team wide receiver and Third Team return specialist. Rochelle was a dynamic offensive weapon who finished among the valley leaders in all-purpose yards (third), total offense (ninth), scoring (ninth), receiving yards (second), receiving touchdowns (third) and yards per catch (third), ISU sport information reported.
Rochelle wrapped up the 2025 season with four 100-yard games over his last five contests, including the 224-yard game at Youngstown State. He added a second three-touchdown game against South Dakota State. He also was second in the Valley in kick return yards and average and fifth in punt return average.
Rochelle finished his career second all-time in Indiana State single-season history in receiving yards with 863 in 2025, despite missing one game because of an injury. He transferred to ISU from Rutgers.
O’Brien — a 6-foot-3, 225-pound offensive lineman from Cincinnati Notre Dame Cathedral High School — was on ISU’s roster in 2023 but didn’t play in any games. Then he became the Sycamores’ primary long-snapper in 2024.
In addition to snaps on kicks, O’Brien also scored a two-point conversion and made a tackle that year. O’Brien played at East Carolina in 13 games last season, making the All-American Conference second team.
