Troy University Athletics
Trojans Filling Pro Football Rosters
4/28/2009 3:00:00 PM | Football
As most of you know, former Trojan Sherrod Martin joined the long list of Troy players to be selected in the annual NFL Draft when he was picked in the second round on Saturday by the Carolina Panthers. Sherrod is already listed as a starter on the Panthers depth chart, which shows exactly what they think of him.
Several other former Trojans signed free agent deals with various NFL teams in the hours following the conclusion of the draft on Sunday. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are quickly becoming Troy south after having signed Terence Moore, Dion Small and Chris Bradwell to join with Elbert Mack, who signed with the Bucs as a free agent last year and made the team.
Tampa Bay, by the way, is my new favorite team in the NFL. In addition to the four former Trojans on the roster there, the Bucs also signed former Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich during the offseason. I worked closely with Byron for three years when I was at Marshall and have continued to follow his career with great pride.
In addition to those signings, several other Trojans will also get a chance to keep playing at the next level. Trevor Ford signed with the Green Bay Packers, Dion Gales inked with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Steve McLendon signed with the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers after it looked as if he would sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In addition, Kenny Mainor has been offered a chance at a tryout with the New York Giants so that they can see how he has recovered from the knee injury that ended his senior season early. Also, former Trojan Josh Allen is going back for another tryout with the New England Patriots. He went to camp with New England last year, but suffered an injury on the first day.
Of course, several other former Trojans are also still working with various NFL teams. In addition to DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Leodis McKelvin (Bills), Mack (Bucs) and Osi Umenyiora and Lawrence Tynes (Giants), former Trojans Gary Banks (Chargers), Alfred Malone (Packers) and Brannon Condren (Colts) are still working to fulfil their NFL dreams.
Another former Trojan, linebacker Marcus Richardson, also recently signed as a free agent with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.
While those guys are already living their dreams as professional players, the next batch of Trojans is getting ready for the 2009 season and beyond. One returning Troy player, defensive end Brandon Lang, has already been listed as a preseason All-American for this fall and, in an article on NFLDraftScout.com, is listed as a 2010 first round draft candidate.
“Troy's tradition of churning out highly rated defensive prospects will continue in 2010, as end Brandon Lang could have a DeMarcus Ware-type rise as a 3-4 linebacker prospect.”
It's just my opinion, but I don't think that lang will be the only Trojan that will be very highly thought of come next April with the NFL Draft rolls around again. In fact, I think there may be a player on the offensive side of the ball who will garner a great deal of attention next year.
It will be fun to see how it all shakes out over the next several months.
Go Trojans!
Ricky
