All-American RB Chad Simpson joins the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.
BALTIMORE, Md. – Three Morgan State players have signed to play in the National Football League.
MSU running back Chad Simpson, defensive end Bryan Wilson and tight end Rohnie Sykes became members of the NFL as they were signed as free agents.
The Indianapolis Colts have signed Simpson to a free agent deal, while Wilson signed with the Washington Redskins and Sykes became a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I’m happy for the three young men,” said MSU head coach Donald Hill-Eley. “We’re excited they’ll be able to showcase their talent at the next level.”
“We are very optimistic about their opportunity and this will increase the respect of our program on a national level.”
Simpson completed his collegiate career as the school’s single-season rushing leader and led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with 1,402 yards, and finished as the school’s fourth-leading rusher of all time with 2,197 yards.
Simpson became Morgan State’s first running back signed since 1986 when Phoenix Dinkins signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Wilson joined the Washington Redskins and became the first Morgan State defensive player to be selected to a team as a free agent since Sam Massey in 2003. Wilson, an All-MEAC defensive end, finished the 2007 season with 50 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and led the MEAC with six forced fumbles. The Temple Hills product was a key component to the Bears’ No. 1 ranked defense (264.8/g) in the MEAC and #2 in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Rohnie Sykes joins the Kansas City Chiefs following an outstanding career at Morgan State. Sykes, a Sacramento native, was a tenacious blocker and finished with six catches for 68 yards. He also helped open holes for an offensive unit that averaged 348 yards per game and 203.4 yards on the ground in 2007. Sykes was selected to the 2007 Preseason All-MEAC 2nd Team and finished the 2006 season with 21 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
The three selections marks the first time since 1986 that the Bears have had at least three players selected to play in the NFL.
