Pocic, Foster And Staples All Sign As Undrafted Free Agents

The Illini had twice as many players drafted this week than wins on the field last season with Hugh Thornton going to the Colts, Akeem Spence to the Bucs, Terry Hawthorne heading to Pittsburgh and Michael Buchanan joining the Patriots. However, those four are not the only Illini who will be making their way to NFL training camps this summer.

Offensive lineman Graham Pocic, linebacker Justin Staples and defensive lineman Glenn Foster have all signed on as undrafted free agents.

Pocic will join former Illini Whitney Mercilus with the Houston Texans, which is a good spot for him to land. While he played center with the Illini, he may be better served at guard in the NFL, and the Texans don't have a lot of depth at the position. I don't know if Graham has a chance to make the NFL roster, but if he performs well enough in camp, a spot on the practice squad is certainly possible.

Justin Staples is returning closer to home, as he signed with the Cleveland Browns. He's going to play outside linebacker in the NFL, and with Cleveland's 3-4 scheme, that's certainly something Justin could be suited to. The problem is that the Browns also drafted Barkevious Mingo, and we know that's a roster spot Justin won't be taking. So he's going to need to impress to stick around.

Then there's Glenn Foster who signed with the Saints where he hopes to play on the same defensive line as former Illini Martez Wilson. Foster's versatility at Illinois could help him in New Orleans as he shifted back and forth between tackle and end with the Illini.

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