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Undrafted Free Agents Strike Deals |
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Written by Dave Ruthenberg
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Wednesday, April 30 2008 |
 Ohio RB Kalvin McRae signed with the Chiefs The days following the NFL draft are frequently more action packed than the two-day draft itself as many of the nation's undrafted collegiate players sign deals in the hopes of catching on with an NFL team. The MAC is no exception with several players whose names weren't called on draft day signed on after the draft, including one MAC standout who did not play a single down of football in college.
Among the MAC's undrafted free agent signees was the announcement that Western Michigan hoops standout Joe Reitz was signed by the Baltimore Ravens.
Reitz, an All-MAC standout as the center on the Broncos' basketball squad, was also a standout football player in high school but opted to focus on basketball while attending WMU. Reitz however impressed NFL scouts enough to generate some interest and the Ravens came calling after the draft with an offer to join the team in its upcoming mini-camp. Reitz will get a look as a tight end or an offensive lineman.
Among some of the other MAC notables who signed post-draft day were Toledo punter Brett Kern, a Ray Guy Award finalist in 2007. Kern signed a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos which included a $15,000 signing bonus. Ohio's record setting running back, Kalvin McRae, also went undrafted but was quickly signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Below is the current list (as of April 30, 2008) of undrafted free agent MAC players who have signed deals, or been invited to NFL rookie camps, in the days following the NFL draft:
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Akron
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Jabari Arthur
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WR
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Kansas City
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Akron
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Chris Kasparek
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TE
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Miami
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Akron
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Nate Robinson
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DT
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New York Giants
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Akron
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Davanzo Tate
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DB
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New York Jets
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Buffalo
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Ben Woods
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P
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Cleveland
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Central Michigan
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Ike Brown
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LB
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Atlanta
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Central Michigan
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Steven Friend
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DT
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Cleveland
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Central Michigan
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Eric Tunney
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OG
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New Orleans
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Kent State
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Colin Ferrell
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DE
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Indianapolis
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Miami
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Jerrid Gaines
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DB
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Cleveland
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Northern Illinois
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Brandon Davis
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TE
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Washington
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Ohio
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Todd Koenig
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S
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Cleveland
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Ohio
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Kalvin McRae
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RB
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Kansas City
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Ohio
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Ryan Senser
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LS
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New Orleans
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Toledo
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Andrew Hawkins
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DB
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Cleveland
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Toledo
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Brett Kern
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P
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Denver
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Western Michigan
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James Blair
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OT
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Cincinnati
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Western Michigan
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Joe Reitz
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TE
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Baltimore
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, May 06 2008 )
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