Former Ferris State Standouts Await Potential NFL Opportunities As Interest Builds For Weekend Draft

Big Rapids, Mich. - The 82nd annual National Football League (NFL) Draft takes place this weekend in Philadelphia and at least four former Ferris State University football standouts are hoping to hear their names called or be contacted by NFL or professional football franchises as potential free agent pickups following the annual event.

The Bulldogs' Anthony Darkangelo (Brighton/Detroit Catholic Central), who completed his collegiate eligibility as a starter & All-America linebacker selection last fall, has generated interest along with fellow linebacker Brady Sheldon (Novi) and wide receiver Kenny Feyh (Fillmore, Calif./Moorpark). All three have spent the off-season training for a potential opportunity and have had strong pro day events to showcase their talents with hopes of being late round or preferred free agent aquisitions.

In addition, the Bulldogs' Trevor Bermingham (Addison, Ill.), who saw action both on special teams and at quarterback last fall, recently had a tryout with the NFL's Chicago Bears as a punter after serving in the same role the past three seasons for the Bulldogs.  

Last year, the Bulldogs had three players ink as free agents following the NFL Draft. Wide receiver Jake Lampman (East Lansing/Haslett) ultimately made the New Orleans Saints' active roster and saw game action while two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winning quarterback Jason Vander Laan (Frankfort, Ill./Chicago Christian) was signed by the New York Jets and standout defensive lineman Justin Zimmer (Greenville) inked with the Buffalo Bills. All three are currently still with NFL clubs in their offseason training programs and expected to contend for roster spots this summer with Zimmer joining Lampman in New Orleans late this past season.

Overall, numerous lists have both Darkangelo and Sheldon found among the top 100 players at their position leading into the draft. They each have had strong pro days and workouts in front of scouts, including taking part in the Central Michigan Pro Day event in March.

The NFL Draft begins with round one on Thursday (April 28) night at 8 p.m. (ET).  Rounds two and three will take place on Friday night with the final rounds four thru seven set for Saturday starting at noon. Both ESPN and the NFL Network will have endless coverage of the draft. 

While no Ferris State football player has ever been drafted by an NFL team, according to the official NFL Draft Report, several former Bulldogs have inked NFL contracts as free agents and played in the league. Including last year, the Bulldogs have had at least one NFL free agent pickup following the draft each of the past three years.

Unofficially, at least 14 former Ferris State players have previously inked NFL free agent deals. Former defensive back Marvin Robinson inked with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 with defensive tackle Marcus Cribbs signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. Those two represented the first since free agent cornerback Angelo Williams with the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. Previously, in 2013, former defensive end Jordan Morgan received a rookie tryout with the New York Giants, but did not sign.

The select group also consists of running back Dave Gagnon (1974-Chicago Bears), outside linebacker Monty Brown (1997-New York Jets), defensive tackle Ed Philion (1994-Buffalo Bills), defensive end Dave Zuiderveen (2001-Atlanta Falcons), flanker Clarence Coleman (2002-Buffalo Bills), tackle Matt McCoy (2004-Detroit Lions), wide receiver Carlton Brewster (2006-Cleveland Browns) and defensive tackle Jake Visser (2009-Houston Texans).

Two other former Ferris State players, offensive guard Bill Bourdlais and safety Patrick Wells, received tryout invitations from the Cleveland Browns in 2008 and participated in the team's rookie minicamp, but did not ink a deal. Several others have also had NFL tryouts including wide receiver Andre Johnson (1989), quarterback Dave DenBraber (1987) and receiver/returner Fred Kirkland (1981). Defensive back James Skodak (2006) also had tryouts with several NFL organizations among other past Bulldog standouts.

The four Bulldog standouts awaiting the draft all played key roles this past fall in leading Ferris State to a school-record 12 wins and the NCAA Division II National Semifinals for only the second time in school history. Ferris State received the program's third-straight NCAA Football Playoff berth and captured the Super Region Four Championship by beating archrival Grand Valley State during a memorable postseason run. The 15-week campaign, which included three postseason playoff wins, was the school's longest in 108 years of Bulldog Football.

Over the last three seasons at Ferris State, the Bulldogs have compiled a 34-5 overall record and claimed two conference championships, posted two unbeaten regular-seasons, captured a regional title and reached the national semifinals while posting four playoff victories.

In the five seasons under FSU head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs have become a national power on the Division II level. FSU has posted a 49-12 overall mark in the last five years and the Bulldogs have also posted the best winning percentage of all 21 collegiate programs in the state of Michigan along with the GLIAC since his arrival.