This NFL draft prospect is a true Packer backer

By GERY WOELFEL

Several years ago, Andrew Raym visited Green Bay.

He liked it so much that he wouldn’t mind making Title Town his new home away from home for years to come.

“It was a great time, a great trip,’’ said Raym, a former University of Oklahoma standout center.

Raym and his father, Gerald, made the two-day, 879-mile trek from their hometown of Broken Arrow, Okla., to not just check out the city of Green Bay, though. The principal reason for their father-and-son getaway was this: Raym is a Packers fan, a huge Packers fan.

Raym said he made the trek to Green Bay in 2019 during his senior year while attending Broken Arrow High School. The Rayms watched the Packers defeat the Chicago Bears 21-13 at Lambeau Field. It was a nippy 11 degrees.

It was also an experience Raym will store in his memory bank forever.

“We pulled up to Green Bay and there was like 14, 15 inches of snow on the ground from a storm that came in the night before,’’ Raym said. “We were all bundled up for the game. Everybody was huddled in, drinking their hot chocolate. It was awesome.

“Everything that happed was exactly what I had pictured. Green Bay is awesome. The Packers are a great program. I love Green Bay.’’

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Raym said he’s been a Packer backer since he was a tyke. He’s not sure how old he was when his affinity for the Packers began or why he was drawn to them.

But Raym, who grew up on a farm, said he watched the Packers whenever they were on television in his area and that his favorite Packer was Brett Favre.

Raym said he’d embrace playing for any NFL team that wants his services. But he acknowledged, in his heart of hearts, he’d prefer playing for the Packers.

“If the Packers drafted me, I’d put it (a cheesehead hat) on my head right then and there,’’ Raym said smiling. “I definitely wouldn’t mind that.’’

While Raym is obviously interested in being a Packer, there have also been concrete signs the Packers are interested in him. The Packers have met with Raym twice in recent months, first at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. and then at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

On the surface, Raym fits the Packers’ profile for an offensive lineman: He’s got the physical attributes and possesses light feet for someone his size, he’s a multi-positional player and he’s got the intelligence.

Raym was a two-time All-Big 12 Conference second-team selection. He played 12 games and 874 snaps last season. He allowed three sacks. While he primarily played center at Oklahoma, he has the capabilities to play both guard positions as well.

As for the academics, Raym’s major was multi-disciplinary studies. He was chosen to the All-Big 12 academic second team the last two seasons.

Raym is represented by Joe Panos of Athletes First. Panos is a former University of Wisconsin standout who played six seasons in the NFL with Philadelphia and Buffalo as a guard.

Raym could help the Packers as a backup center or guard, especially after starting right guard Jon Runyan signed with the New York Giants in free agency.

To Raym, it wouldn’t matter which position he was assigned. Said Raym, “I’d play anywhere for the Packers.’’

— Headshot courtesy of OU Athletics