Five Eagles Earn Free Agent Chances
4/28/2019 9:27:00 AM | Football
Group looking to join five other GS Men in the League
STATESBORO - Not getting drafted isn't the worst thing for an NFL prospect. Ask Matt Breida, the former Georgia Southern running back who has found a home in San Francisco after not being taken in the 2017 Draft. Phillip Lindsay went undrafted out of Colorado last year and ended up becoming the first undrafted offensive rookie in NFL history to be voted to a Pro Bowl.
Five former Georgia Southern are now in that same boat as they have been given the opportunity to make it at the next level. All they want is a chance.
Tight end Ellis Richardson signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears while Wesley Fields (San Francisco), Joshua Moon (Jacksonville) Sean Freeman and Curtis Rainey (Atlanta) all accepted invites to rookie minicamps.
"We are excited to see our guys get the opportunity to play at the next level," head coach Chad Lunsford said. "Our guys have done an awesome job of dedicating themselves to our program as Georgia Southern Men and now they have the opportunity to go on and live their dreams of playing professional football after a great college experience. Our job is to help them win championships, graduate and prepare them for the future. We are looking forward to seeing them make an impact as professional football players."
Richardson (Atlanta, Ga.) caught 10 passes for two touchdowns as a senior for the Eagles after hauling in a team-high three scores in 2017 in the Eagles' run-first offense. He transfered in from Alabama State after playing quarterback for the Hornets.
Fields (Americus, Ga.) became the first player in Georgia Southern history to lead the team in rushing and receiving yards in the same season. He was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection from the conference and Phil Steele after carrying the ball 250 times for 1,50 yards and nine touchdowns with 10 receptions for 237 yards and a score. He becomes the third Eagle back in the 49ers' camp, joining Breida and Jerick McKinnon.
Freeman (Fort Valley, Ga.) He had 39 tackles, six pass breakups and a forced fumble in 10 games last season for Georgia Southern despite missing three games with a leg injury.
Rainey (Jacksonville, Fla.) was a first-team All-Sun Belt selection from the conference, Southern Pigskin and Phil Steele and was on the field for 736 offensive snaps as the Eagles' center.
Moon (Fairburn, Ga.) played in and started 12 games at free safety. He led the team with 71 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and half a sack, and also had an interception that he returned 34 yards, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
If any other players join these four, they will be added to this release.
Former Eagle players in the NFL are: Breida and McKinnon (49ers), Ukeme Eligwe (Giants), J.J. Wilcox (Falcons) and Antwione Williams (Panthers).
Five former Georgia Southern are now in that same boat as they have been given the opportunity to make it at the next level. All they want is a chance.
Tight end Ellis Richardson signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears while Wesley Fields (San Francisco), Joshua Moon (Jacksonville) Sean Freeman and Curtis Rainey (Atlanta) all accepted invites to rookie minicamps.
"We are excited to see our guys get the opportunity to play at the next level," head coach Chad Lunsford said. "Our guys have done an awesome job of dedicating themselves to our program as Georgia Southern Men and now they have the opportunity to go on and live their dreams of playing professional football after a great college experience. Our job is to help them win championships, graduate and prepare them for the future. We are looking forward to seeing them make an impact as professional football players."
Richardson (Atlanta, Ga.) caught 10 passes for two touchdowns as a senior for the Eagles after hauling in a team-high three scores in 2017 in the Eagles' run-first offense. He transfered in from Alabama State after playing quarterback for the Hornets.
Fields (Americus, Ga.) became the first player in Georgia Southern history to lead the team in rushing and receiving yards in the same season. He was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection from the conference and Phil Steele after carrying the ball 250 times for 1,50 yards and nine touchdowns with 10 receptions for 237 yards and a score. He becomes the third Eagle back in the 49ers' camp, joining Breida and Jerick McKinnon.
Freeman (Fort Valley, Ga.) He had 39 tackles, six pass breakups and a forced fumble in 10 games last season for Georgia Southern despite missing three games with a leg injury.
Rainey (Jacksonville, Fla.) was a first-team All-Sun Belt selection from the conference, Southern Pigskin and Phil Steele and was on the field for 736 offensive snaps as the Eagles' center.
Moon (Fairburn, Ga.) played in and started 12 games at free safety. He led the team with 71 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and half a sack, and also had an interception that he returned 34 yards, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
If any other players join these four, they will be added to this release.
Former Eagle players in the NFL are: Breida and McKinnon (49ers), Ukeme Eligwe (Giants), J.J. Wilcox (Falcons) and Antwione Williams (Panthers).
Players Mentioned
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