The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Five Blazer Football Players Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts
4/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 22, 2002
After having two players drafted in the first two rounds, UAB had five more players sign free agent contracts Monday with one more expected to sign.
That brings the total to seven players taken by NFL teams. Six of those were part of the defense that led the nation in rush defense and was fifth in overall defense.
Defensive lineman Rodney Jones and safety Adrian Singleton signed with the Chicago Bears. Rod Taylor, the Blazers leading tackler last season, signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Avery Warner, another safety, signed with the Carolina Panthers and wide receiver Royd Williams inked with the Oakland Raiders.
Defensive end Marlon Bush is also expected to sign this week.
Taylor, the Blazers middle linebacker, led the team in tackles with 110 in 2001, and had two interceptions and 12 tackles for loss. A transfer from East Mississippi Community College, Taylor had 164 tackles in his two years with the Blazers. He recorded 20 tackles behind the line in his career.
Jones, a product of Vestavia Hills, started this past season at nose guard and had 38 tackles with nine for losses and three sacks. He had 102 tackles and 21 for losses for his career.
Singleton, from Mobile, had 68 tackles with three for losses in 2001. He finished his career with 253 tackles, five interceptions and broke up 15 passes.
Williams speed caught the eyes of the NFL scouts after playing just two years of college football. The transfer from nearby Lawson State, which does not have football, caught 12 passes over his two seasons for 112 yards and one touchdown.
Warner, of Decatur, Ga., was second on the team in tackles this past season with 92, and had nine tackles behind the line. He had 235 stops for his career with 15 for losses.
