Three Blazers Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts

Copeland, Leggett, Davis ink pro contracts

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Three players off the 2007 Valdosta State National Championship squad have signed free agent contracts with National Football League teams.

Quarterback Willie Copeland, who threw for 3,160 yards and 28 touchdowns while guiding the Blazers to a 13-1 record last season, signed with the Miami Dolphins. During his two seasons with VSU, Copeland started 23 of 24 games and passed for 5,823 yards and 55 touchdowns. The Rex, Ga. native completed 561-of-861 career passes, a 65.2 passing percentage, and owned a 138.02 career quarterback rating.

Offensive tackle Gerald Davis, who started all four seasons for Valdosta State, signed with the New Orleans Saints. Davis started 36 of the 46 games he saw action in with the Blazers, including all 14 during the 2007 national championship run. He also played in the 2004 national title game won by the Blazers as a freshman after playing in 12 games, including two starts, that season.

Cornerback Maurice Leggett was the final Blazer to sign a free agent contract as he inked a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Leggett played in 45 games during his VSU career, including both national championship contests. He registered 136 career tackles and tallied nine interceptions. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native tied a VSU school record with 15 passes broken up as a junior and finished his career with 23. An All-Gulf South Conference first-team member as a senior, Leggett blocked five kicks during his career.

The trio mark the first time that a Valdosta State player has signed with an NFL squad since Richard Collier joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Spring of 2006. A total of 19 Blazers have either been drafted or signed free agent contracts with the NFL since the school began football in 1982.

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