NFL dream extends for three
Jacob Threadgill
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The NFL dream for three Ole Miss football players did not end with the NFL draft on Sunday.
Running backs Benjarvus Green-Ellis and Bruce Hall along with defensive tackle Brandon Jenkins all signed free agent contracts with NFL teams.
Green-Ellis signed with the New England Patriots; the Buffalo Bills picked up Hall, while Jenkins agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers.
Despite coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Green-Ellis did not hear his named called among the 252 picks of the Draft, but found himself in a good situation after signing a deal with the Patriots.
The Patriots did not sign or draft another running back in the off-season, and Green-Ellis will enter mini-camp as the fourth running back behind veterans Sammie Morris and Kevin Faulk with third year pro Lawrence Maroney on top of the depth chart.
Green-Ellis left Ole Miss as one of the most productive backs in school history. After transferring to Ole Miss from Indiana after his sophomore season, Green-Ellis rushed for 2,137 yards in his two seasons as a Rebel, and almost 4,000 in his four year career.
Hall spent the last two seasons as Green-Ellis' back up. Originally signed as a quarterback from East Mississippi Community College, Hall made the switch to the backfield seamlessly in his first spring practice with the Rebels.
Over two seasons Hall became a contributor on special teams and as a third down back. Hall averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his Ole Miss career as he totaled 419 yards rushing and one touchdown in two seasons while hauling in 15 catches for 149 yards and another touchdown.
Hall will be joined by fellow rookie and sixth round draft pick Xavier Omon from Northwestern Missouri State in the backfield. The Bills return last season's first round pick, Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson and Dwayne Wright at running back.
The free agent deal for Hall vindicated a long journey that saw Hall start his college career at Wake Forest before transferring to Troy and EMCC after that.
Jenkins used an impressive performance at the Ole Miss pro day into a free-agent deal with the Panthers. The 6-foot-4 281-pound defensive tackle only had 12 tackles (one for loss) as a senior, but ran a sub 4.8 in the 40-yard dash in front of NFL scouts.
"I think my pro day helped a lot," Jenkins said. "I think that was what really helped got me over the hump that I needed (to get signed)."
Jenkins showed flashes of pro potential as a junior when the Memphis native made seven starts and recorded 21 tackles with 4.5 TFLs and two fumble recoveries.
"Words can't explain how excited I am," Jenkins said. "It is a blessing to get a chance."
Jenkins is ninth former Ole Miss player to join the Panthers, and will be paired with current Panthers cornerback Ken Lucas and offensive guard Keydrick Vincent.
"It is close to home, it is not far from Memphis where I am from, it just felt right," Jenkins said about choosing the Panthers.
Mini camps for NFL teams begin this weekend. All contracts signed by free agent rookies are non-guaranteed.
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