North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Players Sign Free Agent Deals
4/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 29, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Former NC State tight end Sean Berton had hoped to hear his name called during the NFL Draft. Defensive end Shawn Price hoped for the same thing. And so did defensive tackle Terrance Martin and linebacker Dantonio Burnette. But like a lot of outstanding college football players over the weekend, Berton, Price, Burnette and Martin never got the call they were hoping for. But that doesn't mean they've reached the end of the line in their football careers. Those four, along with two other NC State football stars are now hoping to make NFL rosters via the free agent route.
Berton, a burly tight end who was a major factor in the Pack's successful running game with his blocking prowess last season, has signed on with the Minnesota Vikings, who are coached by a former tight end. Interestingly enough, Mike Tice was a player very much like Berton, who would line up both at tight end and in the backfield.
Price won't have very far to travel after inking a deal with the Carolina Panthers. Gifted with impressive speed and strength, Price will be asked to make the difficult transition from being a pass-rushing defensive end to outside linebacker, meaning he'll have to learn the nuances of pass coverages. In his senior year at NC State, Price tied middle linebacker Dantonio Burnette for the team lead in sacks with nine.
Speaking of Burnette, he's on his way to Pittsburgh where he'll play for another former NC State linebacker, Bill Cowher. Though not considered big or fast by NFL standards, Burnette has an excellent feel for the game and has often been compared to former Saints and Panthers linebacker Sam Mills. Burnette, who was one of the ACC's best defensive players last season, finished up second on NC State's all-time tackles list.
Also hoping to earn a spot on NFL rosters as free agents will be Terrance Martin, Bryan Peterson and Shane Riggs. Martin, a big defensive tackle who joined the Pack as a junior college transfer two years ago, has signed on with the New York Jets.
Perhaps it was no accident that receiver Bryan Peterson ended up with Tennessee, a team that made good use of former Wolfpack wide receiver Chris Coleman for a few years. Peterson caught at least one pass in his last 39 games at NC State, a new school record.
Shane Riggs who started his college career as a defensive lineman before moving to offensive guard, has been picked up by San Francisco.
Two NC State players were selected in the draft. Taken by Detroit, safety Terrence was the 137th player chosen in the draft, while offensive tackle Scott Kooistra was a seventh round pick of Cincinnati.
