Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs get chance to continue in NFL
5/2/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. - Following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday, former Fresno State football players who did not hear their name called will still get their chance at playing football at the next level as a handful of players were signed as undrafted free agents.
As of Sunday afternoon, three former Bulldogs were picked up by teams across the league. Within minutes of the NFL Draft ending, RB Ronnie Rivers (Arizona Cardinals), DT Kevin Atkins (San Francisco 49ers)Â and DE/LB Arron Mosby (Carolina Panthers) were signed.
On Monday, May 2, it was announced wide receiver Keric Wheatfall received an invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles mini camp. Following his showing at the mini camp, Wheatfall signed as an undrafted free agent with the franchise, officially announced on Monday, May 16.
On Tuesday, May 3, offensive lineman Alex Akingbulu was announced as an invitee to the Dallas Cowboys mini camp.
This story will be updated as free agency continues, and teams make announcements on mini camp invites. Last edit to this story was May 16.
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A look at RB Ronnie Rivers - Arizona Cardinals
Rivers finished his Bulldog career as Fresno State's all-time leading in points scored. Having played five years in a Bulldog uniform, Rivers is the Fresno State record holder in career touchdowns scored (52), rushing touchdowns (40), receiving touchdowns by a running back (12), receiving yards by a running back (1,417) and pass receptions by a running back (150). He left as second in program history in rushing attempts (672), third in career rushing yards (3,417), and fourth in career all-purpose yards (5,208).
He was a three-time All-Mountain West running back - second team (2019), first team (2020), honorable mention (2021).
Atkins was a sixth-year Bulldog, playing from 2016-21. The numbers put up in 2021 were the best of his career as he recorded single-season best numbers in tackles (41), tackles for loss (13.0) and sacks (7.0). He also led the team with two fumble recoveries on the year.
Atkins was a four-year starter, and a significant member of the Bulldogs' defensive line throughout the years. He was a three-time All-Mountain West honorable mention defensive lineman.
A look at DE/LB Arron Mosby - Carolina Panthers
Mosby was a fifth-year Bulldog in 2021. The Sanger, Calif. native made the most of his Bulldog career, coming into the program as a safety in 2016 but put on weight and used his athleticism to move to linebacker and defensive end. Mosby has played all phases of the defense, as well as having participated in special teams throughout the years.
In 2021, Mosby led the FBS with six forced fumbles. His stat line included 40 tackles (24 solo), 15.5 TFL for 66 yards, 6.0 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two quarterback hurries, and three broken up passes. He also had a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in the season opener against UConn. Mosby led the team with 15.5 tackles for loss, a mark that ties for sixth-most in a season in program history.
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A look at WR Keric Wheatfall - Philadelphia Eagles mini camp invite
Wheatfall played in all 13 games, and started eight, in 2021. He finished the season as the team's third-leading receiver with 38 receptions for 616 yards and four touchdowns. Wheatfall is a two-time Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list honoree.Â
Joining the Bulldogs program as a junior college transfer in 2019, Wheatfall had an impressive fall camp that season and made his way into the starting lineup the next three seasons. He was an All-Mountain West honorable mention wide receiver in 2020.
He played in the 2022 Tropical Bowl All-Star game.Â
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A look at OL Alex Akingbulu - Dallas Cowboys mini camp invite
Akingbulu joined the Fresno State program as a grad transfer from UCLA in 2019. He was a primary special teams player, before earning the starting spot and becoming a first team All-Mountain West offensive lineman in 2021.Â
Last season was a big one for Akingbulu, serving as the starting right tackle in all 13 games of the season. The right tackle spot was the only spot on the Bulldogs' offensive line that did not have a different starter at any point of the season. The veteran lineman blocked for the top offense in the Mountain West and the No. 14 offense in the FBS. As a team, the Bulldogs averaged 464.85 offensive yards per game and scored an average of 33.4 points per game. Fresno State's offense averaged 137.2 rushing yards per game and 326.7 passing yards per game. Akingbulu was a part of an offensive line unit that allowed 25 sacks on the quarterback, its least in a season since 2019.
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