McBride, a wide receiver, was among seven undrafted free agents - including three wideouts - the Eagles signed yesterday.

"The call did kind of surprise me when I got it," said McBride, a 4-year starter for Delaware State who set school career records for receptions (201) and yards (3,007), with 33 touchdowns. "I interviewed with the Eagles and Bears and I thought the Bears would call me, too. But all I got today were calls from family and friends in Chester. It's great someone local signed me. My whole family pretty much grew up as Eagles fans. My phone has been ringing off the hook all day, my family and friends are more excited about this than I am."

McBride did say he was slightly disappointed he wasn't drafted. "But it worked out, because I was able to sign with any team that I wanted."

McBride was nagged by injuries his senior year, playing with a sprained right ankle and left shoulder for major parts of the season, when he caught 50 passes for 586 yards and nine touchdowns.

"I would say I played last year at about 55, 60 percent, and some games, at around 50 percent," McBride said. "But I'm healthy now and I'm ready to go [to Eagles minicamp] this Friday. I don't think anyone has seen my best football yet. The best is yet to come. The important thing above everything else is staying healthy. If I stay healthy, I think I have a good shot at making the Eagles. That's the plan. I just hope the coaches see it the same way."

As a junior, McBride caught a career-best 55 passes for 852 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Eagles also signed Penn State receiver Terrell Golden and Nebraska wideout Frantz Hardy. As a senior, Golden received the most significant playing time of his college career and finished with 30 receptions for 345 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also was chosen as one of the Nittany Lions' captains.

Hardy had 48 receptions for 971 yards with seven touchdowns in 3 years at Nebraska.

The other undrafted free agents are:

* Hofstra cornerback Kyle Arrington, who had 30 tackles and an interception during his senior season.

* Washington State fullback Jed Collins, who spent the last two seasons of his college career as a tight end. He had career highs in receptions (52), yards (512), and TDs (three) as a senior.

* Middle Tennessee State tackle Franklin Dunbar, who was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection.

* Kansas State linebacker Justin Roland, who had 70 tackles last season.

E-mail Joseph Santoliquito

at santolj@phillynews.com.