Fresno State Athletics
Five Bulldogs Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts
4/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 25, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - Five members of the 2004 Bulldog football team signed NFL free agent contracts today, one day after the NFL draft was held.
Two Bulldogs were selected in the NFL draft, led by offensive tackle Logan Mankins, who was chosen in the first round of the NFL draft today by the two-time defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. He was the 32nd player selected overall. Junior safefy James Sanders was also taken by the Patriots. Sanders was selected in the fourth round.
The Dallas Cowboys signed three former Bulldogs, kicker Brett Visintainer, tight end Duncan Reid and defensive end Claude Sanders. Tight end Stephen Spach joined the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles and cornerback Therrian Fontenot signed with the Buffalo Bills.
In all seven members of Fresno State's 2004 senior class of 15 players will be in NFL training camps this summer.
"This is a great day for the Bulldog football program," said head coach Pat Hill. "To have such a high percentage of our senior class get a shot at the NFL shows the type of football player we have here. I'm so happy for all of these guys that they have the opportunity to make their dreams come true. "
Last season, 15 former Bulldogs were on NFL rosters on the opening weekend, the second-highest total of any non-BCS school and the best-most among western non-BCS schools. Fresno State's total ranks as high or higher than several notable BCS programs such as Iowa, Oregon, Virginia, Arkansas, Clemson, North Carolina State, Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Minnesota, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Missouri and Kentucky. Leading the non-BCS schools is Southern Mississippi with 16 NFL players, followed by Fresno State with 15.
Since Fresno State joined the WAC, the Bulldogs have had 24 players selected in the NFL Draft. For three consecutive years, the Bulldogs have had at least one player taken among the top 100 selections, which primarily encompasses the first three rounds. Those are the best figures of any current WAC program and more than several notable non-BCS schools.
Fresno State continues to prepares for the 2005 season. Season ticket packages are available through the Bulldog Ticket Office (559) 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
