FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said the team was ready for the “eighth round” of the NFL draft, which is when the team starts signing undrafted free agents.
The Falcons signed 13 undrafted rookie free agents on Monday, including Boston College offensive lineman Tyler Vrabel, son of Titans coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel was the 18th-ranked undrafted free agent by The33rdTeam.com. He needs to add strength to his 6-foot-6 and 315-pound frame.
Also, Ferris State quarterback Jared Bernhardt, Colorado linebacker Nate Landman and Central Connecticut wide receiver Tyshaun James were signed.
They have also invited several rookies in for tryouts during the rookie minicamp, which is set for May 13-14.
Penn State defensive tackle Derrick Tanngelo also has been signed. He played on the same unit as Falcons second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie.
Bernhardt, who played lacrosse at Maryland, was signed as an undrafted free agent Saturday night.
Bernhardt, 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, led Ferris State to the school’s first NCAA Division II national title last season. He was signed to compete as a receiver and a kick returner.
He was one of the nation’s top lacrosse players, winning the Tewaaraton Award as the nation’s top player in spring 2021.
Last season, Bernhardt ran 159 times for 1,421 yards and 26 touchdowns. He completed 87 of 123 passes (70.7%) for 1,322 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Player of the Year.
Twelve former Ferris State players, including Justin Zimmer with the Falcons, have been invited to NFL preseason camps or signed free-agent contracts in the past three years.
Landman, 6-3 and 235 pounds, finished his career with 409 tackles, which tied for fifth on the school’s all-time list.
James, 6-3, set the school record for receiving touchdowns and was a two-time first-team All-Northeast Conference selection.
“This is a great day for Tyshaun, his family and also for our program,” said CCSU coach Ryan McCarthy. “Tyshaun has worked hard for this day and is dedicated to improving his craft.”
Here’s a list of the undrafted players signed:
WR Jared Bernhardt (6-1, 195), Ferris State
WR Stanley Berryhill (5-11, 190), Arizona
OLB Kuony Deng (6-6, 240), California
CB Matt Hankins (6-0, 181), Iowa
S Brad Hawkins (6-0, 207), Michigan
DL Timothy Horne (6-4, 323), Kansas State
WR Tyshaun James (6-2, 214), Central Connecticut
ILB Nate Landman (6-2, 238), Colorado
DL Bryce Rodgers (6-2, 309), UC-Davis
DL Derrick Tangelo (6-1, 296), Penn State
P Seth Vernon (6-5, 230), Portland State
OL Tyler Vrabel (6-6, 315), Boston College
TE Leroy Watson (6-5, 275), UT-San Antonio
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