Two Georgia Southern Players Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts

STATESBORO, Ga. – A pair of former Georgia Southern Eagle Football players are attempting to catch on with teams in the NFL. Jayson Foster signed a free agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers while Damon Suggs was invited to the Buffalo Bills rookie mini-camp.

Suggs, a 2007 All-Southern Conference selection, played in 41 games throughout his career from 2005-08. The senior defensive lineman recorded 100 tackles, made 12 for a loss including 4.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. Suggs recorded his only collegiate touchdown when he intercepted a pass in the endzone during the Eagles’ 52-28 win at Chattanooga last fall.

The Bills will hold their rookie mini-camp this weekend.

Foster rejoins the Steelers after a one month stint with the defending Super Bowl champs last season. He originally signed a free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins and most recently was released by the Denver Broncos. Foster got the phone call and was boarding a plane to report to the Steelers Thursday night (April 30).

The elusive NFL wide receiver/return specialist capped his stellar playing career by winning the 2007 Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. He received several All-America honors during his senior year as a quarterback, running back and all-purpose player.

Foster was named ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ in a vote by the Southern Conference’s head coaches and sports media association. After the squad finished 3-8 in 2006 Foster again switched from wide receiver to quarterback (a position he played his sophomore year), kick returner and holder. He led the Eagles to a 7-4 overall record. The four-win improvement is the Eagles’ second-largest increase in regular season play.

Throughout his career Foster showcased his elusiveness, accounting for 77 touchdowns five different ways – 54 rushing, 15 passing, one kickoff return, two punt returns and five receiving.

Foster’s 1,844 rushing yards (second nationally in rushing yards per game) set a NCAA Division I record for most rushing yards by a quarterback. At the time that yardage was the second-highest total in a Georgia Southern season, and third-most in SoCon history. He recorded a SoCon-leading 24 touchdowns on the ground.