Meekins, Stapleton Ink NFL Free Agent Contracts
Apr 29 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Ramel Meekins (Westwood, N.J.) and Darnell Stapleton (Union, N.J.) have agreed to free agent contracts with NFL teams today. Meekins signed with the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts while Stapleton agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Several other former Rutgers standouts are expected to sign with NFL teams over the next 24-48 hours. Three former Scarlet Knights were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft. Brian Leonard (Gouverneur, N.Y.) was a second round pick of the St. Louis Rams, Cameron Stephenson (Inglewood, Calif.) was drafted in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Clark Harris (Manahawkin, N.J.) was taken in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers.
"I was happy and excited to finally have a team," said Meekins. "It is just the beginning again for me in my career. It's a great opportunity and I will try my best to make the team."
Meekins, a former walk-on at Rutgers, will try to follow the footsteps of former RU walk-on Gary Brackett. Brackett went on to earn a scholarship at Rutgers before joining the Colts as a non-drafted free agent. Brackett, who just finished his fourth year with the Colts, has started the last two seasons at middle linebacker, including in the Super Bowl XLI victory over the Chicago Bears.
Meekins was a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection in 2006 and was one of four captains for the Scarlet Knights. He was an integral part of a defense that ranked fourth nationally in total defense, fifth in sacks and tackles for loss and eighth in scoring defense. He started all 13 games at nose tackle and finished fifth on the team with 68 tackles. Meekins also tied for the team lead with 13.5 tackles for loss and led the squad with eight sacks. He was named the team Defensive MVP after the season and finished in the top 10 career rankings for sacks at RU.
Stapleton was one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's top center. One of the anchors of a Rutgers offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the nation, Stapleton started all 25 games of his two-year career at Rutgers. He was awarded the David Bender Trophy, given annually to the top offensive lineman at Rutgers.
"It is a good fit for me," commented Stapleton. "I have played there before (at Heinz Field) and it's a chance for me to further my career. It's pretty exciting to go to Pittsburgh with Cam."
