The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Four UAB Players Sign Free Agent Contracts With NFL Clubs
4/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 25, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- A day after the completion of the 2005 National Football League Draft, four UAB football players have signed free agent contracts with NFL clubs.
Linebacker Zac Woodfin, a two-time, first-team All-Conference USA linebacker, is headed to the Green Bay Packers after signing Monday with the NFL team.
Meanwhile, linebacker Nigel Eldridge has signed with the Chicago Bears, cornerback Bobby Keyes has inked with the Washington Redskins and wide receiver Bradly Chavez signed a free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Woodfin, a 6-2, 240-pound product of Prattville, Ala., finished his career with the Blazers as the school's all-time leading tackler with 372 stops. Woodfin earned first-team all-conference recognition in 2004 and 2003, when he recorded a single-season, school record 149 tackles. Woodfin was named to the Butkus Award "Watch List" prior to his junior and senior seasons. He also was listed on the 2004 Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Award "Watch Lists".
Eldridge, like his linebacker teammate Woodfin, was a three-year starter for UAB. The 6-2, 235-pound native of Montgomery finished his Blazer career with 321 all-time tackles, second only to Woodfin on the school's career list. Last season when he helped UAB to the program's first bowl appearance in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Eldridge ranked third on the team in tackles with 82.
Keyes started two seasons at UAB after transferring from Jones County (Miss.) Junior College. In two years with the Blazers, the 6-0, 185-pound Keyes registered 106 tackles with three interceptions. The Raleigh, Miss. product ranked No. 5 on the team in 2004 in tackles with 55.
Chavez, a 6-0, 195 wideout, enjoyed his best season as a Blazer in 2004 as he caught 24 passes for 497 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He averaged 20.7 yards per reception as a senior and an impressive 19.1 yards on 51 catches during his career.
As a senior, the 6-0, 200-pound Chavez was the team's No. 2 receiver behind Roddy White. White was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft (No. 27 overall) on Saturday by the Atlanta Falcons.
