Boston College Athletics
Former Eagles Join Professional Ranks
May 03, 2010 | Football
May 3, 2010
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Four members of football's 2009 senior class have signed with NFL teams, headlined by Matt Tennant who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints.
Tennant was selected by the reigning Super Bowl champions with the 27th pick of the fifth round (158th overall). The Cincinnati, Ohio native was an All-ACC Second Team selection as a senior. He was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy. Named one of two offensive captains last year, Tennant started all 13 games at center and started the last 41 games of his career there.
Three other seniors from last year's squad signed free agent contracts following the draft. Rich Gunnell, who broke the BC career receiving yards record with 2,459, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Gunnell ranks second in career receptions (181) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (18) at The Heights. He was also a captain alongside Tennant and became the first wide receiver captain since 1990. He was an All-ACC honorable mention selection.
Mike McLaughlin inked a deal with the Baltimore Ravens following the draft. Voted defensive captain for the second-straight season, McLaughlin battled back from a torn Achilles that he suffered in the spring to start nine games at middle linebacker. The local Woburn, Mass., native finished the season second on the team in assisted tackles (29) and third in tackles (56). He started 23 games in his final two seasons.
Marcellus Bowman, regarded as one of the hardest hitters in the ACC last year, signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. Bowman started all 13 games at strong safety and was second on the team in solo tackles (48) and total tackles (73). He also accounted for 25 assisted stops which ranked third on the team. Bowman also had 3.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions, two pass break ups and two forced fumbles.
