Twenty CAA Football Players Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts Or Earn Minicamp Invitations
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (May 6, 2022) – In addition to Villanova cornerback
Christian Benford being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of last week’s NFL Draft, 20 former CAA Football standouts will attempt to earn a NFL roster spot as free agent signees or invitees to upcoming minicamps.
Six players have signed free agent contracts with six different NFL squads to this point: Elon quarterback
Davis Cheek (Carolina Panthers), Towson running back
Jerry Howard, Jr. (Philadelphia Eagles), Maine wide receiver
Andre Miller (New York Giants), Villanova linebacker
Forrest Rhyne (Indianapolis Colts), William & Mary offensive lineman
Andrew Trainer (Los Angeles Chargers) and Villanova cornerback
Denzel Williams (Baltimore Ravens).
There are 14 players who have received invitations to participate in upcoming minicamps. Headed to camps are Villanova defensive back
Nowoola Awopetu (New York Jets), Maine offensive lineman
PJ Barr (Pittsburgh Steelers), Richmond linebacker
Tyler Dressler (Pittsburgh Steelers/New York Jets), Villanova offensive lineman
MJ Dumas (Indianapolis Colts), Villanova defensive lineman
Malik Fisher (New Orleans Saints), James Madison offensive lineman
Liam Fornadel (Pittsburgh Steelers), Towson offensive lineman
Andrew Garnett (Arizona Cardinals), James Madison defensive lineman
Mike Greene (Chicago Bears/Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Delaware defensive back
Nijuel Hill (Washington Commanders), Richmond wide receiver
Jonathan Johnson (Washington Commanders), Delaware offensive lineman
David Kroll (Chicago Bears/Indianapolis Colts), Delaware running back
Dejoun Lee (Washington Commanders), Villanova quarterback
Daniel Smith (New York Jets) and Rhode Island defensive back
Coby Tippett (New England Patriots).
CAA Football had 16 players on active NFL rosters at the close of the 2021 season. In addition, seven former players were on the injured reserve list and 10 players were on practice squads.
Free Agent Signees
Davis Cheek, QB, Elon Carolina Panthers
Jerry Howard, Jr., RB, Towson Philadelphia Eagles
Andre Miller, WR, Maine New York Giants
Forrest Rhyne, LB, Villanova Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Trainer, OL, William & Mary Los Angeles Chargers
Denzel Williams, CB, Villanova Baltimore Ravens
Minicamp Invitations
Nowoola Awopetu, DB, Villanova New York Jets
PJ Barr, OL, Maine Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyler Dressler, LB, Richmond Pittsburgh Steelers/New York Jets
MJ Dumas, OL, Villanova Indianapolis Colts
Malik Fisher, DL, Villanova New Orleans Saints
Liam Fornadel, OL, James Madison Pittsburgh Steelers
Andrew Garnett, OL, Towson Arizona Cardinals
Mike Greene, DL, James Madison Chicago Bears/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nijuel Hill, DB, Delaware Washington Commanders
Jonathan Johnson, WR, Richmond Washington Commanders
David Kroll, OL, Delaware Chicago Bears/Indianapolis Colts
Dejoun Lee, RB, Delaware Washington Commanders
Daniel Smith, QB, Villanova New York Jets
Coby Tippett, DB, Rhode Island New England Patriots