The University of Toledo
04/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/29/2024 08:04
4 Rockets Sign Free Agent Contracts with NFL Teams
4 Rockets Sign Free Agent Contracts with NFL Teams
Four Toledo football players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams Saturday night immediately following the conclusion of the NFL Draft.
Defensive lineman Judge Culpepper and cornerback Chris McDonald signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, linebacker Dallas Gant signed with the Minnesota Vikings and offensive lineman David Nwaogwugwu signed with the Washington Commanders.
The foursome joins teammate Quinyon Mitchell on NFL squads. Mitchell was taken in the first round (22nd pick overall) by Philadelphia on Thursday.
Gant, who transferred to Toledo after playing four seasons at Ohio State, was a two-time first-team All-MAC selection for the Rockets. He totaled 232 tackles and 13.5 TFLs in his two seasons at Toledo. In 2022, he ranked 10th in the MAC and 57th in the nation with 116 tackles. He equaled that total in 2023, ranking seventh in the MAC and 43rd in the country. He was named to 2023 preseason watch lists for the Butkus Award (top linebacker), the Lombardi Award (top lineman or linebacker) and the Wuerffel Trophy (community service). He was an Academic All-MAC honoree in 2023.
Culpepper, who played three seasons at Toledo after transferring from Penn State, earned All-MAC honors for the Rockets in 2023. He led the team with 10.5 TFL and 9.0 sacks, which ranked fourth in the MAC. He totaled 125 tackles, 18.5 TFLs and 13.0 sacks in his Toledo career. Culpepper, whose father Brad played nine years in the NFL, was a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree and earned CSC Academic All-America honor in 2023.
McDonald played five seasons for the Rockets, starting in 39 games. He earned third-team All-MAC honors in 2023 when he totaled 31 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups. For his career, McDonald had 138 tackles, five picks and 32 breakups.
Nwaogwugwu played one season at UT after transferring from Rutgers. He started all 14 games last season for an offensive line that ranked fourth in the nation, allowing fewer than one sack per game. UT led the MAC in scoring (32.2 points), total offense (419.2 yards), and passing efficiency (147.82), and it ranked eighth nationally in rushing (198.6 yards).