After only one Ohio Valley Conference player (Tennessee State's Javarris Williams) was drafted in this years NFL Draft, four additional players have signed free agent contracts to play in the National Football League.
Eastern Illinois DL Pierre Walters was the first to sign a free agent contract, doing so with the Kansas City Chiefs immediately after the conclusion of the NFL Draft's final round on Sunday.
On Monday two players from Tennessee State signed their names to deals as standout offensive linemen Cornelius Lewis and Cecil Newton agreed to deals with the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars respectively.
Lewis, a 6-5, 310 pound offensive tackle from Jacksonville, Fla., was a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference first-team player. He transferred to TSU from Florida State in 2007 and quickly earned a starting spot, played and started in all 11 TSU games in 2007. In 2008 he played and started in 12 games, had 35 knockdown blocks and blocked on an offensive line that led the OVC in rushing in both 2007 and 2008.
Newton, a 6-2, 305 pound center from Atlanta, Ga., was a four-year letterman, and part of an offensive line that led the Ohio Valley Conference in rushing in 2007 (210 yards/game) and 2008 (195.8 yard/game). He also was part of an offensive line that blocked for a 1000-plus yard rusher in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2007, Newton had 24 pancake blocks along with 40 knockdowns.
Also on Monday Jacksonville State’s Maurice Dupree signed a free-agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dupree was a multiple All-OVC selection last season, where he was a first-team wide receiver and second-team return specialist.
The Centre, Ala., native set a school record after catching 10 touchdown passes in 2008. He finished the season with 799 yards on 49 catches and averaged 72.6 yards per game. As a return specialist, he led the Ohio Valley Conference in kickoff returns and was second in punt returns, averaing 28.26 yards per kickoff and 11.35 yards per punt return to rank among the national leaders.
A fifth OVC player - Murray State's Nathan Williams - is expected to sign a free agent contact but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
2009 OVC Players Who Signed NFL Free Agent Contracts
Maurice Dupree, WR - Jacksonville State (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Cornelius Lewis, OL - Tennessee State (Indianapolis Colts)
Cecil Newton, OL - Tennessee State (Jaksonville Jaguars)
Pierre Walters, DL - Eastern Illinois (Kansas City Chiefs)