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PACKERS SIGN FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK, ANTUAN EDWARDS, TO MULTI-YEAR PACT
posted 06/07/99
The Green Bay Packers have signed cornerback Antuan Edwards of Clemson, their first-round selection in the 1999 National Football League draft, to a multi-year contract, Vice President/General Counsel Lance Lopes announced today.
Edwards, at the top of the Packers' wish-list going into the draft, was the 25th pick overall - a big-play defender who established a Clemson career record for yards gained on take-aways (fumble and interception returns).
At 6 feet-1 inch and 208 pounds, with a 4.34 clocking in the 40-yard dash to his credit, he was targeted by General Manager Ron Wolf and Head Coach Ray Rhodes because he possesses the size and speed to cover the big receivers he will encounter in the NFC Central Division - such as the Minnesota Vikings' Randy Moss and Cris Carter and the Detroit Lions' Herman Moore, whose pass-receiving exploits against the Packers prompted Edwards' selection.
A semi-finalist for the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award in 1998, Edwards also was an All-America second-team and All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection first-team selection by The Sports Network, earning the latter honor for the second year in a row.
He underscored his exceptional athleticism last season by becoming the first player in school history to register two plays of over 80 yards in the same game (also in a season), recovering a fumble and returning it 93 yards for a touchdown and subsequently returning a kickoff 85 yards. He also augmented those contributions by blocking a kick, deflecting 2 passes and making 4 tackles in the same contest.
Edwards, registering 43 tackles and a team-high 14 passes deflected along the way, closed out his career with 299 yards on take-aways
(fumble and interception returns), eclipsing the previous mark of 275 by Rex Varn (1976-79). He additionally ranks third on the school's career list with 35 pass deflections.
Also a highly productive kickoff returner, he amassed 713 yards via 30 runbacks over his four-year varsity career, a 23.8-yard average.
Earlier, Edwards was a SuperPrep and Blue Chip Illustrated All-America selection as a senior at Starksville (Miss.) High School after snaring 25 passes for 543 yards and 13 touchdowns as a wide receiver. Also an all-state selection at free safety, he recorded 70 tackles with two fumble recoveries as a senior.
Edwards is the third 1999 Packers draft selection to be signed, joining safety Chris Akins of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and wide receiver Donald Driver of Alcorn State, the team's two seventh-round selections.
In other transactions, three players - former University of Wisconsin running back Brent Moss, linebacker Antonio London and offensive tackle Antone Davis - have been placed on waivers, it was announced by Director of Pro Personnel Reggie McKenzie.
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