Trio of former Troy players sign rookie free-agent NFL deals
After leading Troy to back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championships, linebacker Richard Jibunor, safety Dell Pettus and cornerback Reddy Steward will all get shots at the next level.
The trio of former Trojans all signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents on Saturday. Jibunor inked with the Seattle Seahawks, Pettus with the New England Patriots and Steward with the Chicago Bears.
The moves come on the same day two former Troy players were selected in the 2024 NFL draft. Outside linebacker Javon Solomon was taken in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills, while running back Kimani Vidal went in the sixth round to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jibunor, a 6-foot-3, 232-pound native of Nigeria who originally signed with Auburn out of a Georgia high school, totaled 59 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2023. He finished his Troy career with 172 tackles, 44.5 tackles for loss and 29.5 sacks.
Former Troy cornerback Reddy Steward signed Saturday as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)AP
Steward (5-11, 173) was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference pick for the Trojans. The Decatur native totaled 181 tackles, 32 pass breakups and nine interceptions (three of which he returned for touchdowns) in five seasons at Troy.
Pettus (6-0, 200) was Troy’s second-leading tackler with 74 stops in 2023. The Harvest native was a five-year starter in the secondary for the Troy, finishing with 314 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups and an interception in 60 career games.
Former Troy safety Dell Pettus signed Saturday with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)AP
In addition, quarterback Gunnar Watson, wide receiver Marcus Rogers and cornerback Don Callis all received invitations to rookie tryout camps. Watson will seek to make the team with the Buffalo Bills, Rogers with the Chicago Bears and Callis with the Green Bay Packers.
Watson (6-3, 214) had a breakout season for the Trojans in 2023, passing for 3,569 yards and 27 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Rogers (6-3, 211) caught just 25 passes in four seasons at Troy, but impressed NFL scouts with an excelling showing on Pro Day.
Callis (6-0, 184) played three seasons at Troy after transferring from junior college. He totaled 67 tackles, 19 pass breakups, two interceptions and four forced fumbles.