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Owens, Walker and Ryan Waller Agree to Sign as Rookie Free Agents with NFL Teams
May 1, 2006 ORONO, Maine - The infusion of Maine Black Bear football players into the NFL continued on Monday and Tuesday as Montell Owens (Wilmington, Del.), Jermaine Walker (Teaneck, N.J.) and Ryan Waller (Chester, Va.) agreed to sign as rookie free agents with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively. Owens, Walker and Waller join teammate Kevin McMahan (Rochester, N.Y.), who was selected on Sunday by the Oakland Raiders with the 255th pick in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. "I'm extremely excited about the opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars," Owens said. "All I wanted was a chance and now it's up to me to prove I belong. I've always dreamed about getting a chance to play in the NFL." "It's been a crazy last couple of days for all of us," Walker said. "I'm glad it worked out for all of us. I'm happy for Kevin and Montell. Next weekend can't come soon enough for me. I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to prove myself at the Redskins mini-camp." Walker was one of the most productive defensive players in the Atlantic 10 and the nation this past season. A senior co-captain, Walker started at middle linebacker in all 11 games in 2005 and led the team in tackles with a career-high 114. He ranked fifth in the A-10 and 23rd nationally in tackles per game at 10.36. Walker, who was a First-Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and a First-Team All-Star by the New England Football Writers Association, also ranked 16th nationally in solo tackles per game at 5.82. For the season, Walker recorded eight games with at least nine tackles, including five double-digit tackle performances. He made a career-high 17 tackles at Northeastern on Nov. 5, and was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Walker made a big splash in the season opener versus Nebraska on Sept. 3, as he recorded a game-high 14 tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Walker became the fifth linebacker in program history to be either drafted or signed by an NFL team. He is the first linebacker to be signed by an NFL squad since Stephen Cooper was signed by the San Diego Chargers in 2003. "I'm excited for Jermaine and Montell," Maine head football coach Jack Cosgrove said. "Jermaine is a guy that might not have the height and weight that pro scouts are looking for, but he makes up for it with his intensity and passion for the game. Montell was a guy that didn't get a lot of playing time prior to last season, but the Jaguars noticed his overall ability and gave him a shot. Montell was a big contributor for us and I thought he had a strong season in 2005, which was his first as a starter." In his first season as a starter in 2005, Owens compiled 779 yards and nine touchdowns 184 carries (4.2 avg.). He ranked ninth in the Atlantic 10 in rushing yards per game at 77.9. On the national level, Owens ranked 100th in yards per game by all-purpose runners with a mark of 94.40. He rushed for over 100 yards in three games and scored at least one rushing touchdown in five games, including rushing for multiple TDs in four games. Owens topped the century mark in rushing for the first time in his career with a 101-yard effort and two scores versus Richmond on Sept. 10. He rushed for a career-high 160 yards and two scores in Maine's thrilling 27-24 overtime win against Rhode Island on Nov. 12. Owens became the fourth running back in program history to be picked by an NFL organization. It marks the second-consecutive year a Black Bear running back has been signed as a rookie free agent, as Marcus Williams was signed by the Indianapolis Colts in 2005. Waller saw action in all 11 games last season, including seven starts coming at one of the wideout spots. He finished third on the team in receptions (30) and receiving yards (489), while leading the team in average yards per catch (16.3). He finished his career 10th all-time in school history for receiving yards with 1,948. Waller was an important contributor for the Black Bears late in the season, as they reeled off three-straight wins. He caught a combined 15 passes in the final three games and totaled a career-high 138 yards in a thrilling 27-24 overtime victory over Rhode Island. Waller became the sixth wide receiver in school history to be either drafted or signed as a free agent by an NFL team.
Since 1956, 32 Black Bears have been either drafted or signed as rookie free agents by NFL teams. Thurlow Cooper became the first Black Bear to go to an NFL team when he was picked in the 16th round of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
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