Seahawks sign player who never played college football
A former pro basketball player who never played college football has a chance to make an NFL roster.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Darren Fells, who is the younger brother of New England Patriots tight end Daniel Fells, to a three-year deal, the team confirmed Tuesday.
Fells, 26, played his college hoops at Cal-Irvine and recently played pro basketball for Libertad Sunchales in Argentina. Fells was supposed to have a Pro Day to showcase his skills, but the Seahawks were impressed enough to offer him a contract.
According to the Everett Herald, the 6-foot-7, 280-pound Fells has played hoops overseas in Belgium, Finland, France, Mexico. Fells’ UC Irvine bio said he was an all-state tight end at Fullerton High School in California.
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The New England Patriots had Stephen Neal at guard for many seasons. Was a wrestler in college = collegiate heavyweight champ!
Seahawks had Marcus Pollard before... who made it to the NFL after being at Bradley University... which doesn't even have a football team:) BTW, Marcus was a GREAT basketball player in the MVC and a pretty good TE for the Colts and others.
jimmy graham didn't play much college football either and he did all right...
How come some NFL team doesn't look for a 7'-0"+ TE for short yardage that a QB can throw to?
@Crapahoola They still have to take the hits and be able to block on run plays. Sure guys like Shaq Alonzo Mourning and Dwight Howard could handle the tasks pretty well but most 7 footers are not built the same way. Tyson Chandler for the Knicks as an example does not look to have the build for a TE. That is how most centers are in the NBA now.
@jamsub @Crapahoola I agree. Shaq is the only one I can think of in recent history that may have had the bulk to fight. Too slow to run effective 10+ yard patterns but a great option at the goal line.
This isn't the first time this has happened, Stephen Neil who was a 3 time super bowl winner as guard with the Patriots. He never played a down of college football. Neil actually wrestled at Cal State-Bakersfield where he was a 2 time NCAA Champion at heavyweight, and in 1999 he went on to win the world championship in freestyle wrestling.
@NickyTheEar Not to mention Antonio Gates, another basketball player who never played a down of football in college. I'd say his Hall of Fame career turned out nicely.
Awesome. to bad Shaqs to old
@Sonicboom The way he ran - two yards and a cloud of dust.
Surprised more NFL teams are not looking for diamonds in the pro b.ball rough!