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Bulldogs heading for pro ranksFour former Fresno State Bulldogs will be trying to make an impact in professional football this fall.
Marcus Riley was not selected in April’s NFL draft, but the former Bulldog linebacker will still get his chance to play on Sundays.
Only minutes after the final selection of the draft, he agreed to sign a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers. Riley did not expect to be drafted and feels like he will have more to prove going into his first NFL training camp as a free agent.
“I knew I was going to have a chip on my shoulder,” Riley said. “I feel like I have been underrated my whole career.”
Even though no NFL teams drafted him, there was still plenty of interest in Riley. Green Bay, along with Oakland, St. Louis and Chicago all called with interest shortly after the seventh round of selections.
Riley said he chose to sign with the Packers for many reasons, including the fact that the team did not draft a linebacker. He will also fit well into the Packers’ four linemen, three linebacker defensive scheme.
“I feel that out of those four teams that did contact me, the Packers were the best fit and I made the best decision,” Riley said.
Riley was able to prove his worth during his senior season with the Bulldogs. The weak-side linebacker was the leader of the defense and caused havoc for opposing offenses, while racking up 132 tackles and forcing four turnovers.
Now Riley will move on to the NFL, where he will likely contribute on special teams, as well as situation defensive schemes while he works towards becoming a starting linebacker.
“I feel like I was good enough to be drafted and not being drafted is going to keep me hungry for the future,” Riley said.
Riley left for Green Bay on May 1 and will be working out at mini-camps with the team. He will be competing for a spot on the Packers’ final 53-man roster and nothing is guaranteed.
Even though so much is riding on the next few months of practice, Riley is not nervous. He described himself as “excited and confident.”
Former Bulldog offensive linemen Ryan Wendell agreed to a free agent contract with the New England Patriots. Wendell, a four-year starter with the Bulldogs, signed the deal with the AFC Champion Patriots shortly following the seventh round of selections on draft weekend.
Wendell was a standout during his career with the ‘Dogs. He was a 2007 First Team All-WAC selection and started at multiple positions on the offensive line.
In his first year with the program, Wendell was selected to the First Team Freshman All-American team and was awarded Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Freshman of the Year honors.
Now Wendell will join three other former Bulldogs in New England. Offensive guard Logan Mankins, safety James Sanders and tight end Stephen Spach are all currently playing for the team.
The Patriots organization has a history of signing former Bulldogs. Pat Hill and Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick worked together for the Cleveland Browns before Hill came to Fresno.
Three other Bulldogs did not sign during draft weekend, but were still able to land with professional teams following the draft.
Clifton Smith, the Bulldogs tailback and punt return specialist in 2007, was offered a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ mini-camp roster.
Smith, who was not sure if he was going to land in a NFL camp or on Canadian Football League (CFL) team before the draft, was ecstatic to hear from Tampa Bay.
Smith’s best chance to make an NFL team will be to specialize as a third down tailback and a kick returner. He was electric during his time in Fresno and will try to bring that same home run ability to the NFL.
One more former Bulldog will get his chance to play in the NFL. Cornerback Damon Jenkins will be working out with the Cleveland Browns, trying to make the team’s final roster.
Jenkins was responsible for 49 tackles and nine pass breakups while starting 12 games for the Bulldogs last season.
Tyler Clutts, a First Team All-WAC selection, will be playing professional football next year, but not in the NFL. The defensive end inked a contract with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.
The CFL may end up being a better fit for Clutts. While he has always had a strong work ethic, he is undersized to play defensive end in the NFL.
In Canada, he will be at his natural position and have the chance to continue working towards the NFL.
The 2007-2008 graduating class will join the already 18 former Bulldogs currently playing in the NFL.
Sports
A guide to summer funSporting venues provide things to do in Fresno during hot summer days and nights.
Student-athletes recognized for academicsThe Fresno State athletics department held its first annual Night of Champions Gala on Monday to honor student-athletes for their accomplishments on and off the field.
Hit the road Mackin, don’t ya come backFresno State softball player Robin Mackin said she is not returning to Fresno State next season.
Academic progress scores penalize basketball, baseballThe Fresno State men’s basketball team and the baseball team were penalized by the NCAA Tuesday morning for lack of academic progress.
’Dog BitesThe Fresno State softball team will face off against New Mexico State at Honolulu, Hawaii today at 4:30 p.m.
Bulldogs lock down No. 2 seedIn a weekend full of memories, milestones and national media attention, the Fresno State softball team swept New Mexico State in a three-game series at Bulldog Diamond.
Soccer club faces many obstacles in first yearThe Fresno State soccer club is doing everything it can to find a place for itself.
The club started out in 2006 as a social club consisting of students who just enjoyed talking about soccer and watching games in The Bucket together.
Those who pay should get to playThe Fresno State athletic department let something slip past them two weeks ago as they announced the new swimming and diving coach and the creation of a new aquatics facility.
Fresno State desperately needs a new aquatics facility, one of the reasons that the athletics department hired Jeanne Fleck to head up the program.
Fleck built a state-of-the-art facility at Ohio State, where she was head coach of the Ohio State program for nine years.
Baseball salvages split with AggiesThe Diamond ‘Dogs remained in first place in the conference despite dropping two games in a four game series this weekend with New Mexico State.
The Bulldogs are now 16-8 in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play, just two wins over second place Nevada.
On Sunday, left fielder Steve Susdorf hit his fourth home run of the series in the 6-4 win.
The day I realized I should stick to writingIt’s spring time, which means fall sports are gearing up.
For the Fresno State volleyball team and new coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell, spring practice is a time to work on change.
Casey at the batCasey McGehee was in a very familiar position this week — playing the infield in Fresno.
But he wasn’t playing his customary spot of third base at Pete Beiden Field that he occupied for three years while in college.
The former Fresno State Diamond ‘Dog was playing third base for the Iowa Cubs at Chukchanasi Park in downtown Fresno against the Fresno Grizzlies.
Club clinches Coyote CupThe Fresno State ultimate Frisbee club went to two tournaments this semester, winning one of them.



