The Jacksonville Jaguars reached verbal contract agreements with 11 rookie free-agents today. The players were not selected in last weekend's college draft. The 11 players are:
Name--Pos.--Ht.--Wt.--College
Curtis Anderson--CB--6-0--193--Pittsburgh
Jamie Baisley--LB--6-2--242--Indiana
Isaac Curtis--TE--6-3--251--Kentucky
Kevin Devine--CB/KR--5-9--184--California
Todd Fordham--OT--6-5--302--Florida State
Lance Funderburk--QB--6-4--227--Valdosta State
James Kidd--WR--5-8--160--Colorado
David Thompson--RB--5-8--196--Oklahoma State
Al Wallace--DE--6-5--243--Maryland
Craig Warren--OT--6-5--337--Stephen F. Austin
Marcell West--WR--5-10--180--Alabama
Here are mini-bios on each player:
Curtis Anderson -- Played wide receiver his first three seasons at Pitt, then moved to cornerback the fifth week of the 1996 season vs. Miami (Fla.). Played six games as a defensive back, making one interception and five deflections. Also averaged 25.4 yards on kickoff returns. Also a track athlete, finishing first in the pentathlon at the Big East Indoor Championships in 1995.
Jamie Baisley -- A middle linebacker who was the primary run stopper for the Indiana defense the last two years. Made 105 tackles in 1996, with one interception and three forced fumbles.
Isaac Curtis -- A solid blocking tight end who can also adjust to the ball in the intermediate passing game. The former high school end caught 22 passes for 188 yards in 1996. Son of former Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Isaac Curtis.
Kevin Devine -- Experienced cover cornerback who was an integral part of the Cal secondary the past four seasons. Led the Bears with eight pass deflections and had one interception in 1996. Also intercepted a two-point conversion pass and returned it 100 yards for a score.
Todd Fordham -- Started every game in 1996 and was named All-ACC second team. Gave up only one sack all season and had a team-high 30 pancakes. Two-year starter from Tifton, Ga., where he was an All-State selection as a defensive end.
Lance Funderburk -- Two-year starter for the Blazers who was a Harlon Hill Award candidate in 1996. Passed for 4,226 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior, with a passing efficiency of 149.3, averaging 325.1 yards per game. Is a native of Blackshear, Ga. Played in the Blue-Gray All-Star and East-West Shrine games following his senior season.
James Kidd -- Played in nine games with five starts as a senior, with a 15.9-yard average on 21 catches. Was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by both AP and conference coaches. Finished his career with 58 receptions for 944 yards and nine TDs. Had one of the most unique accomplishments in college football history, as his first reception of his freshman, sophomore, junior and senior seasons all went for touchdowns.
David Thompson -- Joined Thurman Thomas and Terry Miller as the only three backs in Oklahoma State history to rush for 4,000 yards in a career. First team All-Conference and honorable mention All-America in 1995 and second-team All-Big 12 in '96. Rushed for 1,509 yards as a junior and 1,524 yards as a senior. Had three 200-yard rushing games in 1996, tying the record held by Thomas and Barry Sanders. Four-year starter who led the team in rushing every season and scored 27 touchdowns. Is also a fine receiver, catching 20 passes for 225 yards as a senior. Played in the East-West Shrine game and the Hula Bowl following his senior season.
Al Wallace -- Team captain and two-time All-ACC Academic team. Former high school wide receiver (Delray Beach, Fla.) who converted to defensive end early in his collegiate career, though he played tight end in certain situations the last two seasons.
Craig Warren -- Two-year starter at Stephen F. Austin from Plano, Texas. Played in the shadows of two All-Americans as a freshman and sophomore.
Marcell West -- A high school quarterback who converted to wide receiver early in his collegiate career. Ran the third-fastest 100-meters in the nation in high school (Niceville, Fla.). Also has kick-return skills. Caught 15 passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns in 1996.
