Caden Curry, a defensive end from Greenwood, described his first practice with the Indianapolis Colts as surreal on May 8. After being selected by his hometown team, Curry said he felt excited, nervous, and anxious about joining the organization.
The story matters to local fans because Curry grew up rooting for the Colts and attended Center Grove High School in Greenwood. He won two state championships at Lucas Oil Stadium as a high school player before returning to play professionally in the same city.
“It’s something I always dreamed of being a little kid,” Curry said Friday. “Coming back to the state and just being able to be one of the guys I watched growing up.”
Although playing for Indianapolis is meaningful for him personally, Curry said he would have given full effort no matter which team drafted him. “I’m kind of taking that mindset of, ‘It’s a job,'” he said. “Anywhere I went across the country, it’s the same thing.”
Curry will also reunite with Jaylahn Tuimoloau, his former Ohio State teammate who served as his “big brother” during their college years. Now both are members of the Colts roster. “To have this in the pro level is so crazy and so surreal,” Curry said of Tuimoloau. “He’s such a great guy to look up to because he does everything the right way.”
With familiar faces like Tuimoloau and veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on hand, Curry said he is prepared to contribute fully to his childhood team: “I’m happy to be back home,” he said. “It’s a surreal moment to play for your hometown team.”
