Friday, May 10, 2013

Eagles sign 5 of their rookies

PHILADELPHIA – On the eve of their rookie mini-camp, the Eagles signed five of their eight draft picks, including tight end Zach Ertz, the team’s second-round pick from Stanford.

Philadelphia also agreed to deals with safety Earl Wolff (fifth round), and its three seventh-round selections: defensive end Joe Kruger, cornerback Jordan Poyer and defensive end David King.

An All-American honoree as a junior in 2012, Ertz (6-foot-5, 249) became the highest selected tight end (34th overall) by the Eagles since the team took Keith Jackson 13th overall in 1988. Ertz, 22, appeared in 38 career games at Stanford, recording 113 receptions for 1,434 yards and 15 touchdowns during his three-year career. His 898 receiving yards led all Stanford pass catchers and all FBS tight ends in 2012 while his 69 receptions tied for the FBS lead at the position. A native of Danville, CA, he was a first-team all-state selection as a senior at Monte Vista High.

A first-team All-ACC honoree as a senior at NC State, Wolff rounded out his collegiate career as the program’s all-time leader in games played (51) and starts (43), Wolff paced all active ACC players with 211 solo tackles (361 total), while also tying for third in school annals with eight forced fumbles. His mother, Sharon, was born and raised in North Philadelphia and has been a member of the national guard for 29 years.

The brother of Cleveland Browns OLB Paul Kruger, Kruger (6-foot-6, 269), 20, was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection as a junior in 2012. He appeared in 37 of 38 career games at Utah, collaring 69 tackles, nine sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and an interception. A native of Orem, UT, he earned all-state and all-conference honors as a senior at Pleasant Grove High School after leading the state of Utah with 15 sacks.

As a senior at Oregon State in 2012, Poyer (6-foot, 191) tied for second in the nation with seven interceptions, while adding 51 tackles and two sacks in 12 games. A consensus All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 honoree, Poyer, 22, appeared in 49 games during his four-year career with the Beavers, recording 153 tackles, 13 INTs, three sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles.

King (6-foot-4, 281) appeared in 43 games (21 starts) for the Sooners, recording 70 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks in his career. Following his senior season in 2012, King, 23, was presented with the team’s Don Key Award, which is given annually to a senior who exemplifies excellence on the field and in the classroom.

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