By Chris Vaccaro
Another former Hofstra football player has signed as a free agent with an NFL team, as wide receiver Devale Ellis inked a free-agent contract after his rookie mini-camp stint with the Detroit Lions.
“I went in knowing I had to do what I could do [to make it],” Ellis said. “I watched my friends sign a week earlier and it was my turn.”
Ellis was not signed directly after the NFL Draft, but opted to attend rookie camp with the Lions in hopes of making the cut. Terms of the one-year contract were not disclosed.
His speed made him stand out at the camp, Lions officials said.
“He really jumped out,” Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said. “He’s real quick; good speed; explosive. That was exciting, seeing some of these kids (tryout).”
During the tryout, in which Ellis saw one-on-one coverages with cornerbacks and safeties, Marinelli took him aside and told him about the players who became Pro Bowlers from being unknown free agents.
“I was working my butt off to get noticed,” Ellis said.
He becomes the fourth Pride player this year to become involved with an NFL team. Offensive tackle Willie Colon was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers (fourth round) and wide receiver Marques Colston was drafted by the New Orleans Saints (seventh round) during the draft, while lineman Stephen Bowen signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys the morning after the draft.
There were 48 players who took part in the mini-camp: 28 tryout players, eight undrafted rookie free agents, seven 2006 Lion draft selections and five veterans.
During the season, the Indianapolis Colts expressed interest in Ellis, but were skeptical about his 5-foot-9 frame. At the same time he was told by his coaching staff to improve on his punt return skills, which were also lacking, to give the pro scouts something to look at, former head coach Joe Gardi said.
Gardi said the program’s ability to throw the football benefit receivers who graduate from Hofstra and want to pursue a future in football.
“That’s the one position that has stood out for us,” Gardi said. “The receiver position has been our number one area.”
Ellis was an Atlantic-10 second team selection and led the Pride with 74 receptions on 943 yards and five touchdowns. He finished his career ranked third all-time in receptions with 176 and seventh with 2,207 career yards. He also holds the school record for receptions in a game with 16 against UMass in 2004.
There were two other former Pride players in mini-camps, but there has been no word on the outcome of their workouts. Tight end Brandon Sebald was with the Washington Redskins and running back Onyi Momah was in Cincinnati.