Boston College Athletics
Silva, Dunbar, Pruitt, Ayers Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts
April 29, 2008 | Football
April 29, 2008
Three Boston College football players, safety Jamie Silva and linebackers Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Tyronne Pruitt, have signed free agent contracts with NFL teams.
Silva has signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Silva was a consensus first-team All-America selection this past year and was one of three finalists for the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation's top defensive back. He was MVP of the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl, in which he had two interceptions (40 return yards) and 10 total tackles. He started 38 career games for the Eagles.
Dunbar has signed with the New Orleans Saints. Dunbar, who was a two-year team captain, was named to the All-ACC second team and finished his career with 269 tackles. He was BC's third-leading tackler last season with 90 (50 solos) and was on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for best defensive player in college football.
Pruitt has signed with the Detroit Lions, who chose offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus in the first round of the draft Saturday. Pruitt finished his senior season with 40 tackles (30 solos). Perhaps his most memorable career highlight came this past season when he recovered the onside kick that set up BC's game-winning touchdown drive late in the game at Virginia Tech (which the Eagles went on to win 14-10).
Punter Johnny Ayers has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. A four-year starter at punter for the Eagles, Ayers punted for a career total of 10,176 yards and finished second on the all-time BC punts list.
