Cliff Louis signs free agent deal with the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
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BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State all-conference offensive lineman Cliff Louis has signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns.
A native of Stamford, Connecticut and a two-year starter for the Bears, Louis became the fifth Bear under head coach Donald Hill-Eley to join the National Football League.
“It is a great achievement for Cliff and probably a dream of his to have an opportunity to play in the NFL,” said Hill-Eley. “It is also a great achievement for Morgan State and all the other athletes that have been able to break into the league in the past.”
The 6-8, 300-pounder played this past season as a senior pursuing a degree in Sociology. He played for a Bears team that ranked among the top offenses in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during his junior year, and was selected to the All-MEAC 2nd Team as a senior in 2006.
Louis is the latest Bear to sign a free agent contract with the NFL. Five seasons ago Visanthe Shiancoe was drafted to the New York Giants in the 3rd round and recently signed a new contract to play tight end for the Minnesota Vikings.
Louis joins a list of great Morgan State players who would go on to have outstanding playing careers with the Cleveland Browns. The list of standouts includes: Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Leroy Kelly (early 1960s), defensive back Alvin Mitchell (1968-69), and defensive end Elvis Franks, a pass-rushing specialist during the Kardiac Kids era (1980-84).