Former Eastern Washington University football player Brandon Kaufman has company.
One of the biggest groups of NFL free agent signees in school history – plus one who will receive a tryout today (May 2) – are among the five players who will have the opportunity this spring and summer to make the rosters of National Football League teams.
“It’s awesome for the program, and it’s awesome for the individuals involved,” Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin said. “I am just excited that we have a lot of guys off last year’s team who are going to get an opportunity to prolong their football careers, which is the dream.”
Kaufman, a wide receiver who left the Eagle program early, agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo’s official announcement April 29 said that the players will sign contracts on the eve of the team’s rookie mini-camp, which takes place May 10-12.
The Dallas Cowboys also officially announced the signing of receiver Greg Herd, and the Oakland Raiders officially announced the signing of 2012 Eastern quarterback Kyle Padron. Both teams will have their rookie mini-camps on May 10-12.
Although no official team announcement has been made, wide receiver Nicholas Edwards will sign with the Minnesota Vikings and will attend their rookie mini-camp on May 3-5. Offensive tackle Will Post will attend a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons this Thursday prior to the team’s rookie mini-camp on May 3-5.
Herd will be reunited in Dallas with former Eagle safety Matt Johnson, who was a fourth-round draft choice by the Cowboys in 2012. Padron will be in Oakland with former EWU running back Taiwan Jones, a fourth-round choice in 2011.
Kaufman will be in good company in Buffalo, which was home for nine of the 11 seasons in the illustrious NFL career of former Eagle safety Kurt Schulz. Schulz, a member of the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame who played for the Eagles from 1988-91, still resides in the Buffalo area.
“He’s big, strong and has deceptive speed where he gets on top of people and gets downfield,” Bills scout Brad Forsyth said of Kaufman. “He uses his height, length and strong hands to make a lot of plays downfield. He dominated that level of competition. He’s a junior coming out early, so he’s still young. But he has a legit chance.”
Two other former Eagles who participated in EWU’s Pro Day March 6 – linebacker Zach Johnson and defensive end Jerry Ceja – are also hoping to find a home in the professional ranks.
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