Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Raphael Leonard signs with Jacksonville, Sam Straub receives camp invite from Buffalo
04/27/2019 | 9:08:00 | Football
Shortly after the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft, Southern Illinois wide receiver Raphael Leonard signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and quarterback Sam Straub accepted an invitation to participate in the Buffalo Bills rookie camp.
The Saluki football program has produced 40 players who have gone on to play in the National Football League, and both players' journey to try to join that group begins with rookie minicamp in early May.Â
There are four currently active former SIU players in the NFL — Chase Allen (Miami Dolphins), Craig James (Minnesota Vikings), Ryan Neal (Atlanta Falcons) and MyCole Pruitt (Tennessee Titans).
Jacksonville could be a favorable landing spot for Leonard. The Jaguars had just six wide receivers on the roster prior to the draft and did not select a wide receiver during the draft. They have a new quarterback in Nick Foles, who signed a $91 million free agent contract with the team after Jacksonville cut last year's starter Blake Bortles.
In two seasons at SIU, Leonard caught 89 passes for 1,309 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 847 yards last season were sixth-most all-time in school history. He impressed scouts with a six-catch, two TD performance at Ole Miss and then ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at his pro day in February.
Straub joins a Bills team that drafted Josh Allen in the first round in 2018 and also has veterans Matt Barkley and Derek Anderson. Straub started 18 games in his Saluki career and finished his career ranked eighth in passing yards (4,336), eighth in completions (344) and sixth in TD passes (37) in school history.Â
The Saluki football program has produced 40 players who have gone on to play in the National Football League, and both players' journey to try to join that group begins with rookie minicamp in early May.Â
There are four currently active former SIU players in the NFL — Chase Allen (Miami Dolphins), Craig James (Minnesota Vikings), Ryan Neal (Atlanta Falcons) and MyCole Pruitt (Tennessee Titans).
Jacksonville could be a favorable landing spot for Leonard. The Jaguars had just six wide receivers on the roster prior to the draft and did not select a wide receiver during the draft. They have a new quarterback in Nick Foles, who signed a $91 million free agent contract with the team after Jacksonville cut last year's starter Blake Bortles.
In two seasons at SIU, Leonard caught 89 passes for 1,309 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 847 yards last season were sixth-most all-time in school history. He impressed scouts with a six-catch, two TD performance at Ole Miss and then ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at his pro day in February.
Straub joins a Bills team that drafted Josh Allen in the first round in 2018 and also has veterans Matt Barkley and Derek Anderson. Straub started 18 games in his Saluki career and finished his career ranked eighth in passing yards (4,336), eighth in completions (344) and sixth in TD passes (37) in school history.Â
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