Three Cougars To Sign NFL Free-Agent Contracts

PROVO – Three BYU football players from the 2010 team have confirmed they will sign free-agent contracts now that NFL teams are getting back to work following the end of the lockout.

Defensive end Vic So’oto will sign with the Green Bay Packers, joining former Cougar and seven-year NFL veteran, Brady Poppinga. Safety Andrew Rich and offensive lineman Jason Speredon will both sign with the Arizona Cardinals and be reunited with former teammate Max Hall who completed his first NFL season in Arizona.

So’oto (6-3, 261, DE) started all 13 games at defensive end in 2010 for the Cougars, earning All-Mountain West Conference First Team honors with 45 tackles and a team-leading 11.5 tackles for loss. So’oto also led the team with five sacks and eight quarterback hurries. A versatile athlete with a unique combination of speed and size, So’oto played outside linebacker before suffering a season-ending injury in 2008 and contributed at tight end in 2007, catching 12 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown.

Rich (6-3, 217, S) started 29 games in his career and totaled 220 tackles after transferring from Snow Junior College in 2008. Known for hard-hitting and leadership, Rich served as a team captain his senior season and led the team with 110 tackles, five interceptions, eight pass breakups and three forced fumbles. An All-MWC First Team honoree, Rich started all 13 games in 2010, had 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry and recovered one fumble. His 110 tackles his senior year are the third-most by a BYU player in the last 20 years.

Speredon (6-5, 308, OL) started all 13 games in 2010 and saw action in 34 games as a Cougar. A consistent performer, Speredon was part of an offensive unit in 2010 that was No. 42 nationally with 168.1 rushing yards per game, and achieved seven 200-yard rushing games his senior year. Speredon also contributed to an offensive line that allowed zero sacks in four games and two or fewer in 11 games.

After signing as free agents, the players will take part in upcoming training camps looking to make their respective team’s final roster. Additional signings may still be announced.