North Carolina State University Athletics
Three Wolfpack Players Sign as Free Agents
4/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 25, 2005
By Tony Haynes
The action didn't stop after the last selection was made in the 2005 NFL Draft on Sunday. Agents of players who were not drafted started burning up the phone lines with all 32 teams in hopes of landing free agent contracts for their clients. Three such players from NC State were able to land deals by Monday. The biggest name in the group was running back T.A. McLendon, who signed with Atlanta. Dovonte Edwards and Lamont Reid, who were the starting corners on the Wolfpack's top ranked defense last fall, also inked rookie free agent deals.
Edwards, who switched from wide receiver to corner prior to his junior season, is on his way to Minnesota, while Reid came to terms with the Arizona Cardinals.
Rookie free agent contracts are not guaranteed, so all three players will have to make their respective teams in order to receive more secure deals.
During his erratic three-year career with the Pack, the burly McLendon often showed flashes of brilliance. But his production was severely slowed by a series of injuries, a history that certainly made him a risky draft choice in the eyes of NFL coaches and general managers. The high point of McLendon's career came during his freshman season when he was named ACC Rookie of the Year and first team all-conference after amassing 1,101 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Edwards led NC State in interceptions last season with three, while also adding 40 tackles and seven pass break ups.
Reid picked off one pass, to go along with 25 tackles and 14 pass break ups. The native of Concord, N.C. also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2002.
Three Wolfpack players were drafted over the weekend. On Saturday, offensive tackle Chris Colmer was a third round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The New York Jets selected safety Andre Maddox in the fifth round on Sunday before Jacksonville snatched up linebacker Pat Thomas in the sixth round.
