FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas guard Alvin Bailey and tailback Dennis Johnson, two of the most highly regarded undrafted free agents on the market, were among a handful of players from Arkansas college who agreed to free agent deals late Saturday and Sunday.
Bailey agreed to a free agent deal with Seattle, joining teammate D.D. Jones, a defensive tackle in signing with the Seahawks.
Johnson agreed to terms with the Houston Texans, hoping to follow in the footsteps of running back Arian Foster, who went undrafted out of Tennessee but has been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL the past three years.
“It’s only right to go learn from one of the Best Undrafted RBs in the game. … HOUSTON Let’s Get It!” Johnson wrote on Twitter, referencing Foster.
Bailey was ranked the No. 7 undrafted free agent by the website Optimum-Scouting.com shortly after the seven-round NFL Draft was completed on Saturday. Johnson, the SEC’s all-time kickoff return yardage leader who finished his Arkansas career with 2,036 yards rushing, 510 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns, was No. 13 in the same rankings.
Running back Ronnie Wingo will be reporting to the Atlanta Falcons this week, as will Arkansas-Pine Bluff defensive end Brandon Thurmond.
Former Arkansas linebackers Alonzo Highsmith and Tenarius Wright, both found homes for upcoming minicamps. Highsmith agreed to terms with the Dolphins, the NFL team for which his father also played. Wright, who was ranked the No. 87 undrafted free agent by OptimumScouting.com, will join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ross Rasner, the Razorbacks’ leading tackler in 2012, signed a deal with the Denver Broncos, while defensive backfield mate Darius Winston will join teammate Cobi Hamilton with the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamilton was a sixth-round draft pick by the Bengals on Saturday.
Punter Dylan Breeding, who ranked in the top 10 nationally each of the past two seasons, will be at the Washington Redskins mini-camp next weekend after agreeing to terms.
Washington is also the destination for Arkansas State receiver Josh Jarboe.
Two Central Arkansas players also signed free agent deals, receiver Dominique Croom with the Cleveland Browns and center Corey Howard with the Falcons.
One of the more interesting signings was that of Ole Miss basketball player Murphy Holloway, who agreed to terms with the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens and will report as an “athlete” when the Ravens open minicamp.
Sports, Pages 13 on 04/29/2013