Three 2001 Spartans sign NFL free agent contracts
Second-team all-Western Athletic Conference selections Edell Shepherd and Jarmar Julien are among three members of the 2001 San Jose State University football players to sign free agent contracts with a National Football League team following the rec
| Jarmar Julien is one of three Spartans from the 2001 team to sign a free agent contract. |
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Shepherd, a record-setting wide receiver, signed with the Chicago Bears while Julien, who was the team’s leading rusher last season, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Also, offensive lineman Jelani Hawkins signed with the Houston Texans.
These signings swell the list of San Jose State football players currently in the National Football League to 10 Spartans. Heading the list of Spartans is two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia of the San Francisco 49ers. Placekicker Joe Nedney of the Tennessee Titans is entering his sixth season in the NFL. Fullback James Hodgins, who has played in two Super Bowls in the last three seasons, resigned with the St. Louis Rams.
Offensive lineman David Loverne, a 1999 third-round draft choice of the New York Jets, was traded to the Washington Redskins last month. Tight end Sean Brewer, drafted in the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001, spent last season on the team’s injured reserve list.
Safety Lyle West, who spent two seasons with the New York Giants after being chosen in the sixth-round draft by the Giants, signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the 2002 NFL draft.
Finally, defensive lineman Abdul-Salam Noah, who played for the San Francisco Demons of the defunct XFL and was a 2000 Oakland Raiders’ free agent, signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Besides the 10 Spartans currently on National Football League rosters, linebacker Josh Parry is playing for the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL-Europe, six players are in the Arena Football League, one in Arena Football League2, and one in the Canadian Football League.