Riley, Wendell Ink Free Agent Deals

Fresno State continued its eight-year streak of having at least one player taken in the NFL Draft. However, two of the Bulldogs’ top performers from a year ago were not drafted. WAC Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Riley and All-WAC C Ryan Wendell were not taken in the seven-round draft, but both signed free agent deals with 2007 NFL playoff teams.

Marcus Riley (5-11.5, 224) did not get that important call during the second day of the seven-round NFL Draft. Nevertheless, he signed a free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers minutes after the draft was over Sunday evening. The Packers lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champions New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game last season.

“I signed, committed 5-10 minutes after the draft,” Riley told BB.C Sunday evening. “I felt the Packers were the best fit for me to make the 53-man roster.”

Riley says the Bears, Raiders, and Rams were some of the other teams that showed interest in signing him.

BB.C also learned Ryan Wendell (6-2, 292) signed a free agent contract with the AFC Champion New England Patriots on Sunday.

Stay with BarkBard.com for more coverage of Bulldog free agent signings.

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