Troy University Athletics
Trojans Send Eight More To NFL
4/29/2008 5:00:00 AM | Football
Two days after Leodis McKelvin became the latest Troy Trojan to join the ranks of the National Football League, several more of his Trojan teammates have followed suit.
McKelvin, who was taken with the 11th overall selection in the first round of the draft on Saturday by the Buffalo Bills, tied for the highest any Troy player has ever been picked in the draft. DeMarcus Ware was also the 11th overall pick, back in 2005, of the Dallas Cowboys.
On Monday, other undrafted former Trojans were free to sign free agent deals with teams in the NFL, and several were grabbed up quickly.
Linebacker Marcus Richardson signed with the Houston Texans, receiver Gary Banks signed with the San Diego Chargers, and both defensive tackle Chris Bradwell and defensive back Elbert Mack signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Defensive tackle Marcus Pittman joined the list on Tuesday, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Richardson, a native of Pensacola, Fla., will play for Texans linebacker coach Johnny Holland, who helped former Alabama star DeMeco Ryans earn AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last year.
Banks, a native of Melvin, Ala., who spent three years playing professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization before coming to Troy, was one of four receivers signed by the Chargers, who also signed two tight ends and an H-back as free agents. Banks will work with legendary receiver Charlie Joiner with the Chargers.
Bradwell, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and Mack, a native of Wichita, Kan., both signed with the Bucs where they will play for coach Jon Gruden. Bradwell, who was the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2007, will work with Larry Coyer, a 43-year coaching veteran. Mack, who led all of college football with eight interceptions last year, will work with Raheem Morris, who recently returned to the NFL after serving as defensive coordinator at Kansas State.
Pittman, a native of Broadway, NC, signed later than his teammates while weighing his options. He had offers from Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, in addition to the Chiefs. With Kansas City, Pittman will play for veteran defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, who played in the NFL for 12 years and is best known for breaking his leg during Super Bowl XXIII while playing for Cincinnati.
In addition to those five signees, three other Trojans have been invited to mini camp for tryouts. Both receiver Josh Allen (Tifton, Ga.) and running back Kenny Cattouse (Keyport, NJ) have been invited to camp by the New England Patriots.
Former Trojan offensive lineman Zarah Yisrael (Jacksonville, Fla.) is also going to camp with the New Orleans Saints for a tryout. Yisrael was the first overall selection in the All-American Football League draft in February, but the league failed to come up with the money needed to launch this spring and has been put on hold until next year.
At least two other former Trojans are expected to be invited for tryouts or signed to free agent deals before mini camps open next week.
McKelvin, who was taken with the 11th overall selection in the first round of the draft on Saturday by the Buffalo Bills, tied for the highest any Troy player has ever been picked in the draft. DeMarcus Ware was also the 11th overall pick, back in 2005, of the Dallas Cowboys.
On Monday, other undrafted former Trojans were free to sign free agent deals with teams in the NFL, and several were grabbed up quickly.
Linebacker Marcus Richardson signed with the Houston Texans, receiver Gary Banks signed with the San Diego Chargers, and both defensive tackle Chris Bradwell and defensive back Elbert Mack signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Defensive tackle Marcus Pittman joined the list on Tuesday, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Richardson, a native of Pensacola, Fla., will play for Texans linebacker coach Johnny Holland, who helped former Alabama star DeMeco Ryans earn AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last year.
Banks, a native of Melvin, Ala., who spent three years playing professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization before coming to Troy, was one of four receivers signed by the Chargers, who also signed two tight ends and an H-back as free agents. Banks will work with legendary receiver Charlie Joiner with the Chargers.
Bradwell, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and Mack, a native of Wichita, Kan., both signed with the Bucs where they will play for coach Jon Gruden. Bradwell, who was the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2007, will work with Larry Coyer, a 43-year coaching veteran. Mack, who led all of college football with eight interceptions last year, will work with Raheem Morris, who recently returned to the NFL after serving as defensive coordinator at Kansas State.
Pittman, a native of Broadway, NC, signed later than his teammates while weighing his options. He had offers from Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, in addition to the Chiefs. With Kansas City, Pittman will play for veteran defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, who played in the NFL for 12 years and is best known for breaking his leg during Super Bowl XXIII while playing for Cincinnati.
In addition to those five signees, three other Trojans have been invited to mini camp for tryouts. Both receiver Josh Allen (Tifton, Ga.) and running back Kenny Cattouse (Keyport, NJ) have been invited to camp by the New England Patriots.
Former Trojan offensive lineman Zarah Yisrael (Jacksonville, Fla.) is also going to camp with the New Orleans Saints for a tryout. Yisrael was the first overall selection in the All-American Football League draft in February, but the league failed to come up with the money needed to launch this spring and has been put on hold until next year.
At least two other former Trojans are expected to be invited for tryouts or signed to free agent deals before mini camps open next week.
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