GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- Shea Allard, a three-year starting offensive tackle for the University of Delaware football squad, has been signed to a National Football League free agent contract by the Green Bay Packers.
Allard, who earned All-American honors this past season in leading Delaware to a 7-4 record, was one of five free agents signed by the 2011 Super Bowl champion Packers following a rookie orientation camp. He was joined by wide receivers Jarrett Boykin of Virginia Tech and Curenski Gilleylen of Nebraska, offensive guard Grant Cook of Arkansas, and cornerback Otis Merrill of Illinois State.
A 6-5, 305 lb. native of Buzzards Bay, Mass. (Wareham High School), becomes the second member of the 2011 Blue Hen squad to earn a shot in the NFL. Starting guard/center Gino Gradkowski was a fourth round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL draft in April.
Allard will be among seven former Blue Hen players in NFL camps this summer, joining Gradkowski, quarterbacks Joe Flacco (Baltimore) and Pat Devlin (Miami), defensive back Mike Adams (Denver) and Anthony Walters (Chicago), and defensive end Ronald Talley?(Arizona).
Allard, 22, was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Blue Hens, appearing in 42 career games with 33 starts. He earned first team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors as a senior and third team All-CAA recognition as a junior. Following the 2011 season, Allard earned a spot on the College Sports Madness All-American third team.
A 2011 hotel and restaurant management graduate of Delaware, Allard led the Blue Hens to a five-year record of 40-23 that included a CAA title and a berth in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision in 2010 when the Hens posted a 12-3 record for head coach K.C. Keeler.
He started all 11 games this past season and led the Hens to a 7-4 record and a No. 17 final national ranking. The Hens, who were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation early in the season, defeated two Top 10
ranked teams during the year and narrowly missed a spot in the NCAA Tournament. He helped pace an offense that ranked No. 5 in the CAA in sacks alloweds (1.82), rushing offense (165.5 yards per game), and scoring offense (25.8 points per game).
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