Temple University Athletics
Owls Sign Rookie Free Agent Contracts with NFL Teams
4.28.09 | Football
April 28, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Several Temple Owl football players have signed rookie free agent contracts this week.
Offensive tackle Andre Douglas (New Rochelle, N.Y.) has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while wide receiver and kickoff returner Travis Shelton (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) signed with the Denver Broncos. Center Alex Derenthal (Davie, Fla.) has been invited to the Miami Dolphins' camp.
The trio joins defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (Windsor, Conn.) who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the eighth pick of the third round (72nd pick overall) of the 2009 National Football League Draft on Sunday.
A starter in all 12 games as a junior and senior, Douglas started at right guard last fall for the first seven games before moving to right tackle for the last five games. He earned the Top Hog Award as the top offensive lineman following the 2008 season. Named to NFL Draft Scout's Top 2009 Prospects' list, Douglas was named the team's 2006 Offensive Scout Team MVP.
A Second Team All-MAC honoree and ECAC All-Star in 2008, Shelton is Temple's career leader in kickoff return yards, finishing his career with 2,507 KOR yards, and in kickoffs returned (97). As a team, the Owls ranked among the nation's Top 3 all season, finishing in the No. 1 spot. Shelton ranked No. 1 in the MAC and No. 1 nationally with a 31.30 KOR average. He had a 92-TD return at Kent State, finishing the game with a school record 65.0 yard KOR average. Shelton has three first cousins [Chicago DB Devin Hester, New England DB Jarvis Herring, and Cleveland LB Andra Davis] that play in the NFL.
A Second-Team All-MAC pick by the coaches and a Third-Team All-MAC honoree by Phil Steele, Derenthal finished his career with a school record 47 consecutive starting appearances at center. A candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy, Rimington Trophy, and Rudy Award, he is a two-time team captain and a 2008 ECAC All-Star. Named to the 2007 AFCA Good Works Team, Derenthal earned the team's Offensive MVP honor in 2007 and Team MVP accolades in 2006 as a sophomore. He was the recipient of the 2008 Captains' Award and the George M. Illman Award for Leadership on and off the field.
There were five former Owls on NFL rosters last season-- DL Raheem Brock (Indianapolis Colts), DT Antwon Burton (St. Louis Rams), DT Dan Klecko (Philadelphia Eagles), FB Jason McKie (Chicago Bears), and LB Rian Wallace (Washington Redskins).
