Dante Blackmon becomes first Kennesaw State player to sign with NFL team

Former Kennesaw State defensive back Dante Blackmon signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts after a successful mini-camp performance over the weekend.

A graduate of Eastside High School in Covington, Ga., Blackmon is the first player out of Kennesaw State’s football program to sign with a professional team.

"Signing with the Colts felt like a dream come true," Blackmon said in a statement released by the University. "To be one of the five guys to sign out of about 47 guys that came on an invite was the best feeling and a blessing. The process was a good one. I loved everything about it and I just competed at my highest level and controlled what I could control.

“Now it's time to go to work. This is just the start. I can't thank Kennesaw State University and coach (Brian) Bohannon and the rest of the coaching staff enough for the opportunity to transfer in and play ball for the Owls.”

After leading the Big South in interceptions in 2016, Blackmon went undrafted, but was invited to the Atlanta Falcons and Colts rookie mini-camps.

In his two seasons with the Owls, Blackmon recorded 50 tackles, eight interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

"I'm so proud of Dante for earning this incredible career opportunity," Bohannon said in a statement released by the University. "This is certainly a milestone for our young program to have our first NFL signee, and it's also a tribute to the way that Dante has dedicated himself both and off the field to be the best he can be. He was an all-conference player, he earned his degree last week and now he has an NFL contract. I wish him the best of luck.”

Blackmon attended Appalachian State for his freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Kennesaw State.