Trio Of Golden Flashes Sign Free Agent Contracts
5/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
KENT, Ohio -- Three more Kent State football players will join seventh-round draft pick Julian Edelman in the quest to make an NFL roster, as wide receiver Shawn Bayes, cornerback Rico Murray and offensive lineman Augustus Parrish all recently signed free agent contracts.
Bayes (Memphis, Tenn.) went to the Oakland Raiders, Murray (Cincinnati, Ohio) was signed by his hometown Cincinnati Bengals and Parrish (Temple Hills, Md.) inked a contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Bayes was Edelman's top target in 2008, making 39 catches for 642 yards and five touchdowns - all of which were career-highs and led the Flashes. KSU top cover corner, Murray was fourth on the team with 72 tackles (45 solo), while adding an interception, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and seven pass break-ups. A second team All-MAC selection for the second year in a row, Parrish anchored a young offensive line that helped the Golden Flashes rank 11th in the nation with 230.6 rushing yards per game.
The group is looking to swell the ranks of former Flashes in the NFL, which already includes Joshua Cribbs (Cleveland Browns), Abe Elam (Cleveland Browns), Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers), James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers), Daniel Muir (Indianapolis Colts), Jack Williams (Denver Broncos) and Usama Young (New Orleans Saints).
In addition, linebacker Derek Burrell (Richmond, Va.) was invited to try out with the Buffalo Bills, while Kent State All-American wrestler Jermail Porter (Akron, Ohio) was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots and is joining Edelman in rookie minicamp in Foxboro, Mass.
Bayes (Memphis, Tenn.) went to the Oakland Raiders, Murray (Cincinnati, Ohio) was signed by his hometown Cincinnati Bengals and Parrish (Temple Hills, Md.) inked a contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Bayes was Edelman's top target in 2008, making 39 catches for 642 yards and five touchdowns - all of which were career-highs and led the Flashes. KSU top cover corner, Murray was fourth on the team with 72 tackles (45 solo), while adding an interception, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and seven pass break-ups. A second team All-MAC selection for the second year in a row, Parrish anchored a young offensive line that helped the Golden Flashes rank 11th in the nation with 230.6 rushing yards per game.
The group is looking to swell the ranks of former Flashes in the NFL, which already includes Joshua Cribbs (Cleveland Browns), Abe Elam (Cleveland Browns), Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers), James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers), Daniel Muir (Indianapolis Colts), Jack Williams (Denver Broncos) and Usama Young (New Orleans Saints).
In addition, linebacker Derek Burrell (Richmond, Va.) was invited to try out with the Buffalo Bills, while Kent State All-American wrestler Jermail Porter (Akron, Ohio) was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots and is joining Edelman in rookie minicamp in Foxboro, Mass.
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