Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Jon Pendergrass Signs With Seattle Seahawks
04/22/2002 | 12:00:00 | Football
April 22, 2002
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois senior safety Jon Pendergrass signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, becoming the second SIU player to join an NFL team since last weekend's draft. Linebacker Bart Scott signed with Baltimore earlier.
Pendergrass, an Honorable Mention All-Gateway Conference performer last season, impressed scouts at a workout in DeKalb, Ill., last month. He ran a 4.31 40-yard dash and recorded a 40-inch vertical leap.
He said he was contacted by Seattle, Oakland, Green Bay and the New York Jets, but only the Seahawks tendered a contract offer.
"I was really nervous watching the draft, because I didn't know where I fit in," Pendergrass said. "After the draft, the Jets offered me a tryout, but Seattle was willing to sign me to a contract."
Pendergrass, who reports to mini-camp on May 2, will be asked to switch to wide receiver. He said the Seahawks told him they had too many defensive backs on the roster.
