FSU’s Rudolph among undrafted who reach deals

Florida State 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 — in a positive way — though for something he did off the field. On a visit to a Tallahassee, Florida, 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 video 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

Travis Rudolph Darryl Rudolph, Bo Paske, Garrett Myles

eight 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.

Wide receiver was the most popular position among the undrafted underclassmen, with some big names beyond Rudolph not being picked.

and from Baylor and

and from Texas A&M were left to look for work as undrafted free agents.

Rudolph joined a large crop of state of Flroida 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

Jr.

Cardinals).

Deshaun Watson, KD Cannon Ishmael Zamora RickySeals Speedy Jones Noil Jesus Wilson Kermit Whitfield, Freddie Stevenson Kareem Are Jameis Winston

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 after the draft ended.

UCF had three defensive backs sign undrafted free agent agreements:

(Houston Texans), (New England Patriots) and

(Arizona

Austin Appleby Bryan Cox Mark Herndon Ahmad Fulwood Chris Thompson Mutcherson D.J. Killings Drico Johnson T.J.