Players from around the state catch on with NFL teams

Published 11:29 pm Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Several undrafted players from Washington schools have signed with NFL teams.

Receivers Anthony Russo, from the University of Washington, and Michael Bumpus, from Washington State, signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Others signees include UW defensive lineman Jordan Reffett (Pittsburgh), WSU wide receiver Charles Dillon (Indianapolis), UW running back Louis Rankin (Oakland), Western Washington linebacker Shane Simmons (Oakland), WSU safety Husain Abdullah (Minnesota) and WSU tight end/fullback Jed Collins (Philadelphia).

The only player from a state school who was drafted was WSU quarterback Alex Brink, who was a seventh-round pick of the Houston Texans. It marked the first time since 1940 that fewer than two players from Washington schools were selected in the annual NFL draft.