More Huskies Headed to the NFL

On Saturday, two former UConn Huskies heard their names called during the 2010 NFL Draft. Receiver Marcus Easley, 4th round by the Buffalo Bills, and defensive back Robert McClain, 7th round by the Carolina Panthers, became NFL Draft picks. It was the second year in a row UConn has had multiple players drafted.

While Easley and McClain had their names called on national television, six other Huskies didn’t have that pleasure, but that doesn’t mean their NFL hopes are over. Andre Dixon, Desi Cullen, Lindsey Witten, Mike Hicks, Dan Ryan, and Robbie Vaughn, will all head into a NFL Rookie Camp.

Desi Cullen signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears. He has a great chance at making the roster due to the fact the Bears have an aging punter in Brad Maynard.

Lindsey Witten has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Witten, who many thought would be drafted, will go into camp with a chip on his shoulder and will be ready to prove himself.

Robbie Vaughn signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.

Mike Hicks, Dan Ryan, and Andre Dixon will all attend NFL Rookie Mini Camps, but they will attend on a tryout basis. This means they have not signed a contract, but will be given the chance to prove themselves and earn a NFL contract. Hicks will attend the Detroit Lions camp, while Ryan will head down to South Florida and tryout with the Miami Dolphins.

Dixon is an interesting story. A player who has had an up-and-down career, continued that trend this past weekend. Many experts expected Dixon, who was the MVP of the Papa Johns.com Bowl back in January, to be drafted. Once he didn’t hear his name, he was hoping to get a contract as an undrafted free agent…well that didn’t happen either, even though someone had reported that he had signed with the Steelers. He didn’t sign with anyone and will now head to the New York Giants camp on the tryout basis.

Easley, Dixon, and Witten Invited to NFL Draft Combine

UConn Seniors Marcus Easley, Andre Dixon, and Lindsey Witten have been invited to participate in this year’s NFL Draft Combine. The combine runs from February 24 to March 2 in Indianapolis. The list of players invited has yet to be finalized, meaning other UConn Seniors might get a chance.

The combine gives players a chance to showcase their skills against elite talent from all around the country. Events at the combine include the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, position workouts, bench press, and interview. At last year’s combine, former UConn Huskies Donald Brown, Darius Butler, William Beatty, and Cody Brown all made a name for themselves at the event, which helped their draft stock.

Easley, Dixon, and Witten will be working out until the combine preparing for the different events.

One of the biggest events is the 40-yard dash: