ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Seven former ASU players go undrafted, reportedly sign in free agency following draft

May 11, 2014, 12:00 AM | Updated: 2:00 am

Though there names were not called in the seven rounds of the NFL Draft, three former Arizona State players have signed with pro teams in the immediate wake of the draft.

According to reports posted to Twitter, senior defensive back Alden Darby has signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.

Darby grew up in Long Beach, Calif. and was a two-time All Pac-12 player, accruing 10 career interceptions in 50 games (28 starts) for ASU.

Fellow Sun Devils defender Chris Young, a senior linebacker from Seattle, has also reportedly signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans.

Young earned second-team All Pac-12 honors in 2013 and was the conference’s Player of the Week in late November of that year.

Senior defensive end Davon Coleman, meanwhile, has reportedly signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

A Cleveland native, Coleman tallied 166 career tackles while at ASU, starting all 13 games for the Sun Devils in 2013 while earning honorable mention All Pac-12 honors.

Another Sun Devils defensive back, Robert Nelson Jr., was reportedly signed by the Cleveland Browns following the draft.

Nelson was a first team All Pac-12 defender in 2013, tallying nine career interceptions at ASU, where he spent two seasons after transferring from Western Kentucky in 2011.

And yet another ASU defensive signed with an NFL team following the draft, becoming the seventh player from coach Todd Graham’s defense to go pro in 2014, when Jarrid Bryant signed with the St. Louis Rams.

Bryant, a junior cornerback, transitioned from receiver over the course of his career in Tempe.

On the other side of the ball, offensive lineman Evan Finkenberg reportedly signed with the Miami Dolphins.

Finkenberg, a fifth-year senior, recorded 47 career starts and 61 appearances at right guard and left tackle, earning first-team All Pac-12 honors in 2013.

And fifth-year senior tight end Chris Coyle is now primed to join Young in Houston, according to a personal tweet.

Coyle logged a decorated career for the Sun Devils, finishing third on the school’s all-time tight end receptions list with 92 catches. The Westlake Village, Calif. product played in 40 career games, twice making All Pac-12 teams, including a first team honor in 2013.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona State Football

Kenny Dillingham of the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rose Bowl Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Pasad...

Damon Allred

Former Brophy DL Zac Swanson transfers from Texas to Arizona State

Former Brophy defensive lineman Zac Swanson is transferring from Texas to Arizona State, he announced on Thursday.

7 hours ago

Elijah Badger runs after the catch...

Arizona Sports

Reports: Former ASU Sun Devil Elijhah Badger planning to visit Arizona and Florida

Former Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Elijhah Badger is planning to visit Arizona and Florida, according to multiple reports.

13 hours ago

Nebraska QB Jeff Sims...

Arizona Sports

Reports: Former Nebraska QB Jeff Sims expected to join Arizona State

Former Georgia Tech and Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims is expected to enroll at Arizona State, reports 247 Sports.

2 days ago

Arizona State president Michael Crow...

Jesse Morrison

State of the Sun Devils Podcast: Does anyone want the Arizona State athletic director job?

On the latest edition of State of the Sun Devils, the guys discussed the latest news surrounding ASU's search for an athletic director.

3 days ago

Arizona State head football coach Kenny Dillingham in studio...

David Veenstra

Arizona State football adds 2025 3-star cornerback Dajon Hinton

Recruit Dajon Hinton from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale announced Sunday that he is committed to Arizona State.

4 days ago

J'Mond Tapp, who spent the past two seasons at Texas, announced his commitment to ASU on Sunday. (@...

David Veenstra

Arizona State football lands DE J’Mond Tapp from Texas

Arizona State football landed a versatile defensive threat in defensive end J'Mond Tapp, who spent the past two seasons at Texas.

5 days ago

Seven former ASU players go undrafted, reportedly sign in free agency following draft