Eagles add 9 rookie free agents
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eagles add 9 rookie free agents
Daily News staff
As we reported earlier, the Eagles were hard at work adding undrafted rookie free agents after the conclusion of the draft. The team announced the nine players it has signed this afternon.
Here is the group, with short bios provided by the Eagles:
Josh Gaines
Penn State, Defensive End, 6-1, 274
A defensive co-captain for the Nittany Lions, finished his career with 105 tackles, 8.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Became a starter during his sophomore season then rarely came off the field, playing 589 snaps during his junior season and 696 snaps during his red shirt senior campaign. One of 11 children (four brothers and six sisters). Attended Northrop HS in Fort Wayne, IN. Born 9/27/85 in Fort Wayne.
Reshard Langford
Vanderbilt, Safety, 6-1, 213
A four-year starting safety at Vanderbilt, posted 247 tackles (16 for a loss) and eight interceptions. Was a two-year captain at Tanner HS in Tanner, AL, as a running back and safety, earning first-team All-State honors in his senior season. Born 2/6/86.
Marcus Mailei (MY-lay)
Weber State, Fullback, 6-0, 255
A two-time, All-Big Sky selection from 2007-08, recorded 58 receptions for 563 yards and five TDs in his four-year career. Also amassed 161 rushing yards and three TDs. Attended the same high school (Highland) as Eagles LB Stewart Bradley and garnered first-team all-state honors as a senior after rushing for 1,206 yards and 16 TDs. Born on 10/30/86 in Salt Lake City, UT.
Walter Mendenhall
Illinois State, Running Back, 6-0, 225
Transferred from Illinois after spending four years with the Illini. In his one season at Illinois State, rushed for 796 yards and 11 touchdowns on 126 carries (6.3 avg in 2008). Earned academic All-Conference honors with a 3.2 GPA at Niles West high school in Skokie, Ill., where he finished his career with over 3,600 all-purpose yards. His younger brother, Rashard, played collegiately at Illinois and was a first round draft pick of the Steelers in 2008. Born 1/22/86.
Dallas Reynolds
Brigham Young, Guard, 6-4, 314
Played all five offensive line positions at BYU and twice garnered first-team All-Mountain West honors – as a left tackle his junior year and as a center his senior year. Attended Timpview HS in Provo, Utah, where he was a team captain and a two-time all-state performer. His father, Lance, is the associate head football coach and running backs coach at BYU, and his older brother, Lance, also played center for the Cougars. His two younger brothers, Matt and Houston, have also signed letters of intent to play there after serving their church missions. A former Eagle Scout, Reynolds served a church mission in Seattle and is married to Suzanne Steele. Born 4/23/84.
Brandon Robinson
Boston College, Wide Receiver, 5-10, 198
Posted 141 receptions, 2,023 yards and 10 touchdowns in his four-year career at Boston College, earning All-ACC honorable mention honors in his junior season. Attended Breck School in Minneapolis, MN, where he earned All-America and Minnesota Prep Player of the Year honors in 2003. He recorded three touchdown catches, a punt return touchdown and a 32-yard field goal in his final high school game. Also starred in soccer, basketball, tennis and track. Born 8/2/85.
Courtney Robinson
UMass, Cornerback, 5-11, 200
A two-time All-CAA selection at cornerback from 2007-08, tallied 101 tackles, five interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 22 knockdowns in his three-year career at UMass. Additionally, is the school’s all-time leader in kickoff return yards (1,388) and garnered all-conference accolades as a returner in his sophomore and junior seasons. Appeared in 11 games as a reserve cornerback at UConn in 2005 before transferring to UMass the following year. As the team captain in both football and track at Atlantic high school in Delray Beach, FL, earned first-team all-county honors as a senior defensive back and was the conference champion in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. Born 12/7/86 in Boynton Beach, FL.
Sam Swank
Wake Forest, Kicker, 6-2, 201
Finished as the all-time leading scorer at Wake Forest with 337 points. Set school records with 71 field goals and 124 career PATs. Concluded his career ranked 16th in NCAA history in career scoring. Excelled on the football and soccer teams at Fletcher HS in Neptune Beach, FL. Born 10/5/85 in Lakeland, FL.
Marcus Thigpen
Indiana, Running Back, 5-9, 193
Finished second in school history with 2,009 career kick return yards, third with 4,658 career all-purpose yards and tied for eighth with 21 career touchdowns. Became the first player in school history to record 1,000 yards rushing (1,621), receiving (1,028) and by kick return (2,009). Amassed eight career rushes of 70 yards or more. Earned first team All-America honors as a sophomore after leading the nation with a 30.1 yard kick return average and three touchdowns on 24 returns. Captured the Michigan 100-meter crown as a senior track athlete at Mumford HS in Detroit, MI. Also clocked a 10.67 100-meter dash to take sixth at the 2007 Big Ten Championship. Born 5/15/86.
To read our earlier post, click here.
should of went after M. Evans from PSU— Serge_Matthews- Mark my words: Sam Swank will replace David Akers by the end of next year.— brmorgen81
- I would have liked Jeremiah Johnson, RB from Oregon... but I like what I see here as far as some good camp bodies and PS types.— gaitherfan
- i am shocked, absolutley SHOCKED that they signed a FA from BYU— FireAndyReid
- Langford will stick this year as a special teams guy and challenge next year. Quality football player.
No, I like Josh Gaines. He is a better overall character guy. M.Evans is a clown who should have stayed in school. I was a big fan of Mo Evans, but he is not to bright. He would have been a monster next year if he stayed.- As a biased PSU fan, I'm thrilled about the Gaines signing. Guy's all muscle and has a heck of a motor on the field.— B in DC
- Who signed Evans? Also, I love the Mendenhall signing.— whofeelsit
- This is a bad year for undrafted free agents to try to make this team. Where are they going to play? Even special team is going to be extremely difficult to make. Only the Safety and the big running back have even an outside chance to be on special teams; unless they get "injured."— southern eagle fan
Comment removed.- Brandon Lucky anyone? He has played in a West Coast System— tonygreeneagle5
- The Vandy kid, the kicker and maybe Mend. might at least make it for canon fodder in camp. I like the Vandy kid alot. I went to Vandy in '61 so I am a bit biased.— KGKoons
- Does the annual BYU draftee get to dine with Andy and Vai ?— mick314
- I have seen Langford play and the kid is a ball hawk. he was also captain of the Vanderbilt football team, which has been improving on defense every year. he is a great kid too. I hope good things from him. Good pick up. I also like the Mendenhall kid from Ill, nice build and transferred from where his brother played so he could get some time..I hope he works out. I like his size as a 3rd down option— crohnkiller
- Dallas Reynolds is not a former Eagle Scout. Once an Eagle Scout, always an ES. How do you become a former ES?— mikemaddog
- How long before Reid and Co. bring in John Beck to vie for that 3rd string QB spot?— slovak34
- MARCUS THIGPEN IS THE NEXT JIM BROWN. HE IS THE GREATEST RUNNING BACK TO EVER PUT ON A UNIFORM. HE WILL KNOCK OVER TACKLERS AS THE COME AT HIM. WHOEVER HAD THE FORSIGHT TO SIGN THIS GUY IS THE GREATEST TALENT EVALULATER EVER. I CAN'T BELIEVE HE WASN'T DRAFTER NUMBER ONE THIS YEAR OR ANY OTHER YEAR HE EVER PLAYED. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED AS THE GREATEST FREE AGENT EVER SIGNED. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS EVERYTONE OF YOU WHO EVER POSTED ON PHILLY.COM.— JACK V
- MEANT TO SAY DRAFTED NOT DRAFTER.— JACK V
- Slovak34 - good question. Some people were surprised that it was Kevin Kolb and NOT John Beck that was signed. I wouldn't be opposed to it. Give Kevin Kolb some legitimate competition for the future... versus A.J. Feeley, who seems to have hit his upper limit in the NFL.— knighn
- impressive list of free agents.....nice to see andy finally realizes we need a legitimate fullback with the freee agent signing and now a free agent signing. Vanderbilt safety has great press clippings!— ox
