04/28/2018, 11:10pm Keeping track of the Bears’ undrafted free-agent signings
Adam L. Jahns @adamjahns | email Patrick Finley @patrickfinley | email
With the seven rounds NFL draft concluding on Saturday, the Bears and other teams moved quickly to fill out their rosters by signing undrafted free agents. Here is a running list of the Bears’ undrafted free-agent signings, which will be updated over the next few days:
Dubuque CB Michael Joseph Despite being a Division-III player, Joseph’s size (6-1, 187 pounds) and athleticism earned the NFL’s attention. An Oswego High graduate, Joseph took part in the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. He was named the Iowa Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season, making eight interceptions. He was first-team all-conference selection in three consecutive seasons.
The Bears will sign Dubuque cornerback Michael Joseph from Oswego High School. (Courtesy Dubuque)
Notre Dame LB Nyles Morgan A Crete-Monee graduate, the 6-1, 235-pounder had 179 tackles, combined, the last two years. Over four years at Notre Dame, Morgan made 250 tackles, six sacks and five pass breakups. He was on the Butkus Award watch list three consecutive seasons.
Notre Dame edge rusher Andrew Trumbetti At 6-4, 236 pounds, Trumbetti recorded only 2 1/2 sacks in four years — but did log 12 1/2 tackles for loss.
Oregon State RB Ryan Nall Nall was a very productive running back for the Beavers, totaling 2,779 yards from scrimmage and scoring 28 touchdowns over three seasons. He could fill a fullback/H-back role in the NFL.
LSU CB Kevin Toliver Toliver has great size at 6-3, 204 pounds, but he totaled two picks in three years before leaving after his junior season. He was a former five-star recruit.
Texas Christian S Nick Orr A first-team All-Big 12 selection, Orr led the Horned Frogs with three interceptions last season. He had nine interceptions in his college career.
Pittsburgh punter Ryan Winslow Winslow, who is 6-5 and 217 pounds, was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection last season. He participated in the NFL Scouting Combine. He used the combine to help Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit organization, and their annual campaign to raise funds through “Reps for Rare Diseases.”
Hawaii C/G Dejon Allen The Compton, Calif.-born Allen spent his four seasons in paradise, starting 24 games over the past two seasons at left tackle. A natural interior lineman, he started 11 games at right guard as a freshman and 12 more as a sophomore, adding one more start at left guard. The 6-3, 290 pounder could play guard or center in rookie minicamp.
Indiana CB Rashard Fant The 5-10, 179-pounder had seven pass breakups and two interceptions as a senior, one year after posting 17 and three, respectively, for the Hoosiers. The Bears will welcome someone with his ball skills to their defensive backfield, though his size means Fant will likely be limited to slot duties.
Old Dominion DE Bunmi Rotimi Standing 6-3 and weighing 273 pounds, Rotimi is a former walk-on who totaled 12 1/2 sacks over the past two years. The 22-year-old started seven games last season, missing three due to injury.
Maryland edge rusher Cavon Walker He started 11 games on the defensive line as as senior, but his 6-2, 278-pound frame makes him a better fit as an edge rusher in the Bears’ 304 scheme. He’s experienced — no Terps player had more appearances over a four-year stretch — but only started 14 games in his college career.
Kentucky WR Garrett Johnson The Wildcats’ leading receiver for the past three seasons, Johnson caught 48 passes for 539 yards in 2017. He size likely limits him to slot receiver work in the NFL — he’s 5-11 and 175 pounds.
Shepherd edge rusher Elijah Norris At 6-3, 240-pounder posted 6 1/2 sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season, one year after not participating for the Div. II football team.
04/28/2018, 11:10pm Keeping track of the Bears’ undrafted free-agent signings
Adam L. Jahns @adamjahns | email Patrick Finley @patrickfinley | email
With the seven rounds NFL draft concluding on Saturday, the Bears and other teams moved quickly to fill out their rosters by signing undrafted free agents. Here is a running list of the Bears’ undrafted free-agent signings, which will be updated over the next few days:
Dubuque CB Michael Joseph Despite being a Division-III player, Joseph’s size (6-1, 187 pounds) and athleticism earned the NFL’s attention. An Oswego High graduate, Joseph took part in the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. He was named the Iowa Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season, making eight interceptions. He was first-team all-conference selection in three consecutive seasons.
The Bears will sign Dubuque cornerback Michael Joseph from Oswego High School. (Courtesy Dubuque)
Notre Dame LB Nyles Morgan A Crete-Monee graduate, the 6-1, 235-pounder had 179 tackles, combined, the last two years. Over four years at Notre Dame, Morgan made 250 tackles, six sacks and five pass breakups. He was on the Butkus Award watch list three consecutive seasons.
Notre Dame edge rusher Andrew Trumbetti At 6-4, 236 pounds, Trumbetti recorded only 2 1/2 sacks in four years — but did log 12 1/2 tackles for loss.
Oregon State RB Ryan Nall Nall was a very productive running back for the Beavers, totaling 2,779 yards from scrimmage and scoring 28 touchdowns over three seasons. He could fill a fullback/H-back role in the NFL.
LSU CB Kevin Toliver Toliver has great size at 6-3, 204 pounds, but he totaled two picks in three years before leaving after his junior season. He was a former five-star recruit.
Texas Christian S Nick Orr A first-team All-Big 12 selection, Orr led the Horned Frogs with three interceptions last season. He had nine interceptions in his college career.
Pittsburgh punter Ryan Winslow Winslow, who is 6-5 and 217 pounds, was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection last season. He participated in the NFL Scouting Combine. He used the combine to help Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit organization, and their annual campaign to raise funds through “Reps for Rare Diseases.”
Hawaii C/G Dejon Allen The Compton, Calif.-born Allen spent his four seasons in paradise, starting 24 games over the past two seasons at left tackle. A natural interior lineman, he started 11 games at right guard as a freshman and 12 more as a sophomore, adding one more start at left guard. The 6-3, 290 pounder could play guard or center in rookie minicamp.
Indiana CB Rashard Fant The 5-10, 179-pounder had seven pass breakups and two interceptions as a senior, one year after posting 17 and three, respectively, for the Hoosiers. The Bears will welcome someone with his ball skills to their defensive backfield, though his size means Fant will likely be limited to slot duties.
Old Dominion DE Bunmi Rotimi Standing 6-3 and weighing 273 pounds, Rotimi is a former walk-on who totaled 12 1/2 sacks over the past two years. The 22-year-old started seven games last season, missing three due to injury.
Maryland edge rusher Cavon Walker He started 11 games on the defensive line as as senior, but his 6-2, 278-pound frame makes him a better fit as an edge rusher in the Bears’ 304 scheme. He’s experienced — no Terps player had more appearances over a four-year stretch — but only started 14 games in his college career.
Kentucky WR Garrett Johnson The Wildcats’ leading receiver for the past three seasons, Johnson caught 48 passes for 539 yards in 2017. He size likely limits him to slot receiver work in the NFL — he’s 5-11 and 175 pounds.
Shepherd edge rusher Elijah Norris At 6-3, 240-pounder posted 6 1/2 sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season, one year after not participating for the Div. II football team.
Michael Joseph's highlights look pretty good.
The kid can tackle that's for sure. I highlighted in red those guys who may have a shot at the roster or PS.