AP Photo: Former South Central Calhoun star Kody Case cuts upfield for South Dakota during the 2021 season. Case is trying to land a roster spot with the Indianapolis Colts.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Kody Case’s path to the NFL has taken from him the halls of South Central Calhoun to Vermillion, S.D. to Champaign, Ill. and Indianapolis, Ind. and the former Super Bowl champion Colts.

Case was one of four players to be signed as an undrafted free agent by Indianapolis following the recent NFL Draft. From there, he took part in a rookie mini-camp where he competed against others looking to impress the likes of first-year head coach Shane Steichen and staff.

The 5-foot-10, 182-pound Case completed his college career with Illinois, seeing action in four games and returning a pair of punts. Prior to that, though, he was a key member of both the offense and special teams at South Dakota, hauling in 82 passes for 1,157 yards and nine touchdowns over 32 games.

Case also averaged almost 18 yards per kickoff return and nine yards per punt return for the Coyotes.

“Right after the season ended, I started training,” Case said. “I had a pro day, went to a CFL camp and attended a local pro day for the Colts. Throughout the entire process, I had been in contact with multiple CFL teams and a few NFL teams and was sorting through all of that with my agent.

“We set up a plan for draft weekend, and we were ready to accept any offer that came our way. Thankfully, it was the Colts.”

The rookie mini-camp is used to give the players a chance to get acclimated to NFL playing schemes and learn the playbook.

“There were a lot of drills focusing on fundamentals and footwork so showing that I could tune into the little details of everything was important,” Case said. “Being a wide receiver, we caught a lot of footballs whether that was in individual periods or routes vs. air.

“I wasn’t really focused on the competition within the position group, I was more focused on what I needed to do to show them I belong and that I could play at this level. Of course, competition brings out the best in everybody and there will be opportunity for that moving forward.

“I knew we were all going to be challenged both mentally and physically so expecting that really helped prepare me for the moment. I enjoy being a student of the game and learning the game of football, so diving into an NFL playbook was pretty awesome.”

Now, Case will prepare to continue his journey towards earning a roster spot.

“I’m just focused on doing my job day in and day out and the rest will take care of itself,” he said. “I’m truly blessed with an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m going to do everything in my power to make the most of it.”

Last year, the Colts finished 4-12-1, relieving Frank Reich as head coach. They brought in a new system with Steichen, who was the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles most recently.