Football Duo Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts

With the NFL lockout coming to an end on Monday, former Prairie View A&M football standouts Chris Adingupu and Quinton Spears quickly began the next chapter in their professional lives as both players signed free agent contracts. Adingupu inked with the Minnesota Vikings while Spears signed with the Miami Dolphins.

“This means a lot for our program as it lets people know you can come here and be developed,” said head coach Heishma Northern. “These are the first two guys who have been here for four years that have signed NFL contracts immediately after their collegiately career ended and the third defender overall as defensive end Jermaine McGhee signed with Buffalo in 2009. Their signings are a testament to the commitment made by the administration in terms of funding the program. I hope both players

can make the active roster and have a prosperous career.”

A native of Miami, Fla., Adingupu played safety for the Panthers and is a four-year letterwinner. He led the team in tackles last season with 84, tallied 3.5 tackles for loss, broke up eight passes and forced three fumbles en route to All-SWAC Honors. He also represented Prairie View A&M in the annual Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.

“Chris came here as a transfer looking for a place where he could fit in,” said Northern. “He came in and matured on and off the field in terms of doing things the right way as well as becoming a team leader in tackles.”

Spears is a three-time All-SWAC performer and finished last season with a career-best 70 tackles, four sacks, nine tackles for loss and three blocked punts. A 6-6, 250-pound defensive end from Montgomery, Texas who began his collegiate career as a wide receiver, Spears was also a 2009 Sheridan Black College All-American and the 2009 SWAC Championship Football Game Defensive MVP.

“Quinton came here as a walk-on wide receiver but we saw something in him as I thought he could be our next Jason Hatcher (former Grambling State and current Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman),” stated Northern. “He put on some weight, became a pass rush specialist and developed his all-around game. I hope he can make an impact on defense or special teams as he can run and has the ability to block kicks.”

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