A pair of Illinois football tight ends will have a shot to make their NFL dreams become a reality this spring. Seniors
Matt LaCosse (New York Giants) and
Jon Davis (Dallas Cowboys) both signed free agent contracts following last weekend's NFL Draft.
The duo will look to join a long list of former Fighting Illini in the NFL. In 2013, a total of 19 former Illini were on NFL rosters. Dallas (May 26-28) and New York (May 27-29) both will hold their rookie minicamps in late may.
While Illinois did not have a player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, the program has a rich history in the draft with at least one UI player selected in 40 of the last 43 years. The program also had a habit of producing undrafted NFL contributors, like current veterans Steve Weatherford (9 seasons, currently with Giants), Pierre Thomas (8 seasons with Saints) and Jeff Cumberland (5 seasons with Jets).
