SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Two Southern Conference football student-athletes signed undrafted free-agent contracts Saturday after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. ETSU’s Nasir Player signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Western Carolina’s John Brannon signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Player received four All-American nods following the conclusion of the 2019 campaign. The All-SoCon first-team defensive lineman finished the season with 45 tackles, including 24 solo. The redshirt senior led the Bucs with 10 tackles for loss, marking the third consecutive season that he finished with double-digit tackles for loss. Player also tallied 4.5 sacks for the Bucs, leading the squad in sacks on the season. In the Bucs’ home-opening game against Shorter on Sept. 7, Player recovered his first career fumble in the 48-10 win over the Hawks. Player also registered a season-high seven tackles against Shorter, including 1.5 tackles for loss. The Columbia, South Carolina, native posted five or more tackles in four of the 12 games played.

Brannon, a defensive back from Charlotte, North Carolina, concluded his four-year career with seven interceptions including a single-season best three in 2019, tied for the second-most in the Southern Conference. He headlined five Catamounts named All-SoCon last year, garnering second-team plaudits from both the coaches and voting media. Brannon was just one of two defenders in the league to return an interception for a touchdown among the top 10 in the SoCon, doing so with a 23-yard pick-6 in the season-opener against Mercer. His team-best eight passes defended ranked eighth in the conference, adding five pass break-ups to his three INTs to accompany his 55 tackles – fifth on the Catamount defense – and two fumble recoveries.

For ETSU’s full release, click here.

For Western Carolina’s full release, click here.