Since the NFL Lockout ended, six football players who competed in the Ohio Valley Conference last season have signed contracts as undrafted free agents.
The players included Jacksonville State offensive lineman Curt Porter (Denver) and defensive back T.J. Heath (Jacksonville), Tennessee State wide receiver Joseph Hills (Tennessee), linebacker Sidney Tarver (Cleveland) and safety Eugene Clifford (Baltimore Ravens) as well as Murray State wide receiver Marcus Harris (Detroit).
The players will each report to their team's training camps which open this week.
Clifford was named an All-American and All-Ohio Valley Conference selection the last three years. Joining the Tigers in 2008 after transferring from Ohio State, he finished his career at TSU third on the all-time career tackles list with 204 (120 solo). His numbers include seven interceptions for 197 yards, three touchdowns, three forced fumbles and four recoveries. He started 32-of-34 games played and recorded 26 pass deflections. In 2010, he finished out his career leading the team at the end of the season in tackles (83 - 44 solo) and interceptions (4). He also recorded 10 pass break-ups (ranked No. 10 nationally), 14 deflections and two forced fumbles. He was also named to the All-OVC first-team, a pair of All-Star teams and was a national finalist for the Buck Buchannan Award.
Harris joins a Lions team that ranked 12th in the NFL in passing yards a season ago at 238.1 yards per game. The receiving corps is led by All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson. Harris closed out his remarkable MSU career as the school's all-time leader in receptions (216) and yards (2,471), while ranking second in touchdowns (21). His 216 receptions also rank second on the all-time OVC list. Despite missing two games as a senior, Harris put together one of the finest single-season performances in school history, as he hauled in 84 passes for 1,057 yards and nine touchdowns. Harris leads the FCS in receptions per game (9.33), and ranks second in yards per game (117.4). His efforts did not go unnoticed as he was selected as a Second-Team All-American by The Sports Network and the Associated Press. He was also selected to play in the NFL Players Association All-Star Game.
Heath,was named All-America as a junior in 2009 by three different national organizations, including the Associated Press and The Sports Network. Heath led the Ohio Valley Conference in passes defended and led the Gamecocks with six interceptions, including returning two for touchdowns against UT Martin. The defensive back also led the team with 10 pass break-ups and also forced a fumble and blocked a kick, while recording 34 total tackles during his All-American season.
Hills transferred to TSU from the University of South Carolina in 2009 and has led the Tigers in receiving for two seasons. In two years, Hills has had 79 receptions for 1,000 yards with seven touchdowns. In 2010 he caught a team-best 40 passes for 462 yards and four touchdowns.
Porter, a native of Fayette, Ala., was a first-team All-American selection by the Association Press, and a second-team selection by The Sports Network at offensive line. He was also a first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference in 2010 after leading the Gamecocks to a 9-3 record and into the second round of the NCAA playoffs. Porter graded out at 92 percent for the season, and led the team with 81 knockdowns from his offensive tackle position. The senior led the offensive line with 761 snaps, 24 pancakes and finished with 293 bonus points. He was also one of the captains on the 2010 Gamecock team and he received his degree during Jacksonville State's December graduation.
In 11 games during the 2010 season Tarver recorded 62 tackles (42 solog) with 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.
OVC Players Who Signed NFL Free Agent Contracts
Eugene Clifford (Tennessee State) - Baltimore Ravens
Marcus Harris (Murray State) - Detroit Lions
T.J. Heath (Jacksonville State) - Jacksonville Jaguars
Joseph Hills (Tennessee State) - Tennessee Titans
Curt Porter (Jacksonville State) - Denver Broncos
Sidney Tarver (Tennessee State) - Cleveland Browns