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Juan Villa / The Collegian

Four 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.

Juan Villa / The Collegian

“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.”

Juan Villa / The Collegian

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.

Juan Villa / The Collegian

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.

Juan Villa / The Collegian

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.