Jayson Foster, Damon Suggs Join NFL Teams Former Eagle Football Standouts trying to make squads
STATESBORO, Ga. ? A pair of former Georgia Southern Eagle Football players are attempting to catch on with teams in the NFL. Jayson Foster signed a free agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers while Damon Suggs was invited to the Buffalo Bills rookie mini-camp.
Suggs, a 2007 All-Southern Conference selection, played in 41 games throughout his career from 2005-08. The senior defensive lineman recorded 100 tackles, made 12 for a loss including 4.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. Suggs recorded his only collegiate touchdown when he intercepted a pass in the endzone during the Eagles’ 52-28 win at Chattanooga last fall.
The Bills will hold their rookie mini-camp this weekend.
Foster rejoins the Steelers after a one month stint with the defending Super Bowl champs last season. He originally signed a free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins and most recently was released by the Denver Broncos. Foster got the phone call and was boarding a plane to report to the Steelers Thursday night (April 30).
The elusive NFL wide receiver/return specialist capped his stellar playing career by winning the 2007 Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. He received several All-America honors during his senior year as a quarterback, running back and all-purpose player.
Foster was named ?Offensive Player of the Year’ in a vote by the Southern Conference’s head coaches and sports media association. After the squad finished 3-8 in 2006 Foster again switched from wide receiver to quarterback (a position he played his sophomore year), kick returner and holder. He led the Eagles to a 7-4 overall record. The four-win improvement is the Eagles’ second-largest increase in regular season play.
Throughout his career Foster showcased his elusiveness, accounting for 77 touchdowns five different ways ? 54 rushing, 15 passing, one kickoff return, two punt returns and five receiving.
Foster’s 1,844 rushing yards (second nationally in rushing yards per game) set a NCAA Division I record for most rushing yards by a quarterback. At the time that yardage was the second-highest total in a Georgia Southern season, and third-most in SoCon history. He recorded a SoCon-leading 24 touchdowns on the ground.
FURMAN’S BELL SIGNS FREE AGENT CONTRACT WITH BUFFALO BILLS
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman All-America offensive tackle Joel Bell has signed a free agent contract with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills, it has been announced.
Bell, a 6-foot-7, 318-pound senior from Spartanburg, S.C., earned Associated Press, Walter Camp Foundation, and Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-America honors in 2008 after garnering consensus All-Southern Conference honors. He was invited to the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis, Ind., and played in the Texas vs. Nation All-Star Classic in January.
A three-year starter and three-time All-SoCon selection, he was tabbed by league head coaches as the SoCon’s 2008 Jacobs Blocking Award winner, becoming the 13th Paladin to capture the award. He was also named to the College Sporting News FCS Fabulous 50 Team.
On Sunday Bell’s former teammate, All-America cornerback William Middleton, was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Bell graduated with a degree in health and exercise science in December.