Three former student-athletes sign professional contractsStony Brook, N.Y. - Senior cornerback Chris Richards (Quartz Hill, Calif.) has signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League, after attending a three-day minicamp at the Seahawks' training facility last weekend. Richards is one of just two players signed from the minicamp.
"I'd like to thank Jim Fiore and Coach Priore for giving me the opportunity to succeed as a student-athlete at Stony Brook," Richards said. "Coach cultivated and refined my skills," Richards said. "Ever since I was five years old, it's been my goal to play professional football, and to realize my dream, it's hard to explain."
Richards started all but one game in two years for the Seawolves after transferring from Michigan. He was named All-Big South second team in each of his two seasons at Stony Brook, and led the conference with seven pass break-ups as a senior. The Southern California native also registered three interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
"I came into Seattle's team-camp, and wanted to show the other guys I belonged," Richards said. "I had a rough first day, but I studied my playbook and had a great second day. I just stuck to the basics and even made an interception. One of Seattle's personnel guys wanted to see me in private, and asked me if I was interested in being a Seahawk, and then it really hit me; I made it," Richards said.
"Chris always showed us talent to compete at the next level," Stony Brook head coach Chuck Priore said. "Chris has always worked hard and it's great to see a student-athlete reach a goal like the NFL," Priore said.
Also agreeing to terms this week were Lawrence Lovell '09 and Dwayne Eley '09. Lovell signed a two-year deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Eley inked a two-year deal with the Saskatchewan RoughRiders of the CFL.
Lovell was a three-year mainstay at left tackle for the Seawolves. He made 33 consecutive starts along the offensive line, and was selected to the East Coast Bowl game following his senior season. The 6-3, 295-lb Lovell was an All-Big South selection in 2008 and was invited to the Green Bay Packers' rookie camp following his senior year.
"Lawrence possesses the skills and athleticism to succeed as a professional," Priore said. He's a self-made player and has a tenacious work ethic."
Eley emerged as one of Stony Brook's top all-around threats throughout his career. He totaled over 2,000 yards as a wide receiver and 700 yards as a punt and kick returner. As a senior, he was third in the Big South in receiving yards per game and fourth in receptions per game.
"During my time at Stony Brook, Dwayne has been our most explosive player," Priore said. "Saskatchewan is getting a game-changer."
