Rudolph leads crop of undrafted signees
Former Florida wide receiver
had a tough NFL draft weekend, but he still has a chance to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Rudolph, who declared for the draft after three seasons, signed with the New York Giants. He waited to hear his potential NFL destination with friends and family in West Palm Beach just a week after his father,
was killed in an accidental shooting while doing repairs at a local nightclub. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s office, a gun went off in an adjacent room while it was being moved from a shelf and the bullet penetrated a wall and struck Rudolph.
Travis Rudolph had a solid career at Florida State, catching 153 passes for 2,311 yards and 18 touchdowns in three seasons. He made national headlines during a visit to a Tallahassee middle school in August. Rudolph went out of his way to eat lunch with an autistic boy named who had been sitting at a table by himself.
Rudolph’s act of kindness earned him the thanks of the boy’s mother in a lengthy Facebook post, which went viral along with a photo of Rudolph sitting with the son at his school. The receiver was joined at his West Palm Beach draft watch party by Paske and his mother.
Rudolph was one of 28 early entrants who were not selected.
Ninety-five players were granted special eligibility by the NFL to enter the draft as underclassmen, including No. 1 overall pick of Texas A&M. Another eight State players with college eligibility remaining had graduated by the declaration deadline and were eligible, including Clemson quarterback
who was taken No. 12 overall by Houston.
Rudolph joined a large crop of state of Florida college standouts who reached undrafted free agent agreements. FSU receivers and fullback
and offensive lineman were not drafted, but the players landed deals with NFL teams.
Whitfield and Stevenson signed with the Chicago Bears. Wilson will have a chance to reunite with former FSU quarterback with the Buccaneers.
Five Florida Gators also reached agreements with teams. Quarterback
(Dallas Cowboys), defensive end
(Carolina Panthers), running back
(Cleveland Browns), receiver
(New Orleans Saints) and receiver
(Houston Texans) all inked deals the draft ended. UCF had three defensive backs sign undrafted free agent agreements: ( Texans), (New Patriots) and (Arizona England after
Cardinals).
The following Central Florida area high school products also earned undrafted free agent deals:
Dieugot Joseph, OT, 6-6, 293, Freedom High, FIU, Chicago Bears
Trey Griffey, WR, 6-3, 192, Dr. Phillips High, Arizona, Indianapolis Colts
Corey Vereen, DE, 6-2, 249, West Orange High, Tennessee, New England Patriots
Tion Green, RB, 6-2, 230, Lake Brantley High, Cincinnati, Detroit Lions
Jojo Kemp, RB, 5-9, 204, DeLand High, Kentucky, Tampa Bay Bucs
Quinton Powell, LB, 6-2, 200, Mainland High, Southern Cal, New Orleans Saints
Tony Stevens, WR, 6-3, 198, Evans High, Auburn, Kansas City Chiefs