Former East Carolina quarterback Dominique Davis, who started his collegiate career playing behind Matt Ryan at Boston College, heads up a list of undrafted rookie free agents signed by the Falcons on Monday.
Davis, who passed for more than 7,000 yards in two years as a starter for the Pirates, will compete to backup Ryan again.
In addition to Davis, the Falcons signed Oregon State wide receiver James Rodgers (the brother of running back Jacquizz Rodgers) and three players from the area in Auburn long snapper Josh Harris (Carrollton High), Central Florida tight end Adam Nissley (South Forsyth High) and Clemson punter Dawson Zimmerman (Brookwood High).
In an unrelated move, the Falcons placed tight end Ryan Winterswyk on the reserve retired list.
A list of the signed undrafted rookies:
Offense
Lamark Brown, TE, Minnesota-Mankato: He has great size at 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds. He transferred from Kansas State. He was the 50th-ranked wide receiver by ESPN draft analyst Kiper.
Dominique Davis, QB, East Carolina: He set 15 single-season records for ECU in 2010 and was named Conference USA’s newcomer of the year. He had 28 career rushing touchdowns. He could challenge John Parker Wilson for the No. 3 quarterback spot.
Robbie Frey, RB, Kutztown: He was the 42nd-rated running back by Kiper.
Bryce Harris, OT, Fresno State: He started at left tackle for three seasons after beginning his career as a defensive lineman.
Tyler Horn, C, Miami: He started his final 25 games at center for the Hurricanes, was a second-team all-ACC selection and a team captain.
Marcus Jackson, WR, Lamar: He had 65 catches for 1,159 yards during his two seasons at Lamar.
Phillip Manley, G, Toledo: Played mostly left guard for the Rockets.
Nissley, TE, Central Florida: He’s a blocking tight end prospect at 6-5, 263.
Cody Pearcy, WR, Huntingdon (Ala): The speedster was rated as the 38th-best wide receiver by Kiper. He runs in the 40-yard dash in the 4.3-second range and is a kickoff and punt returner.
James Rodgers, WR, Oregon State: He finished with a school-record 222 catches. He also set the school record with 6,377 all-purpose yards.
Defense
Rico Council, LB, Tennessee State: Last season, he had a team-high 87 tackles (49 solo) with 8 1/2 tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, one interception, 11 passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Chad Faulcoun, S, Montclair State: He was Division III East Region defensive player of the year, the New Jersey Athletic Conference defensive player of the year and was named to the d3football.com All-American team.
Max Gruder, LB, Pittsburgh: A three-year starter for the Panthers who made second-team All-Big East as a senior.
Jerrell Harris, LB, Alabama: He played strongside and weakside linebacker for the Crimson Tide.
Ray Kibble, DT, Kansas State: He had 38 tackles with 5 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble during his senior season.
Marty Markett, CB, South Carolina: A former walk-on and sprinter on the track team.
Louis Nzegwu, DE, Wisconsin: He started in 27 of 48 games over his career with the Badgers. He had 17 1/2 tackles for losses and 11 sacks over his career.
Micanor Regis, DT, Miami: Was suspended last season after punching a North Carolina player.
Pat Schiller, LB, Northern Illinois: He amassed 239 tackles in his four-year career.
Peyton Thompson, CB, San Jose State: In four seasons, he had 186 tackles (125 solo), 10 1/2 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, one sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 22 passes defensed.
Special teams
Josh Harris, LS, Auburn: He was considered the best long snapper in the draft. He consistently gets his snap back in .70 seconds or less.
Dawson Zimmerman, P, Clemson: The former Brookwood High product from Lawrenceville averaged 40.8 yards on 127 career punts. He placed 40 punts inside the 20.
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