May 02 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (May 2, 2012) – Five Rutgers football players recently inked NFL free agent contracts, with defensive lineman Justin Francis (Opa-Locka, Fla.), defensive lineman Eric LeGrand (Avenel, N.J.), fullback Joe Martinek (Hopatcong, N.J.), offensive lineman Desmond Stapleton (Union, N.J.) and offensive lineman Desmond Wynn (Bear, Del.) joining the professional ranks. The five former RU standouts join the more than 20 former Scarlet Knights who are currently active in the NFL, signing with the New England Patriots (Francis), New York Giants (Martinek), Pittsburgh Steelers (Stapleton) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LeGrand, Wynn).
Francis had a dominant senior season on RU’s defensive line in 2011, recording a team-leading 6.5 sacks for 47 yards lost. His 13.0 tackles-for-loss and 64 total tackles both ranked third on the team last season. The new Patriot played both defensive end and tackle during his career “On the Banks”, appearing in 43 games. He totaled 106 tackles, 22.0 tackles-for-loss and 12.0 sacks as a Scarlet Knight.
LeGrand appeared in 31 games at Rutgers before suffering a spinal cord injury in a 2010 game against Army that left him paralyzed. He has since become an inspiration on a national level, showing his upbeat character and spirit in his rehabilitation journey. LeGrand’s return to the football field in the 2011 game vs. West Virginia donned the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 2011 year-end issue, as it was voted the magazine’s Moment of the Year. LeGrand received the Most Courageous Athlete Award from the New Jersey Sports Writers Association in January and will also receive the Unsung Hero Award at the New Jersey Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 9 for his representation of courage, strength and character. He recorded 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries, before his playing career ended prematurely.
Martinek compiled 1,770 rushing yards between running back and fullback in his RU career. The 2006 Gatorade New Jersey State Player of the Year led the Scarlet Knights with 967 rushing yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2009. Martinek finished his high school career as the Garden State’s all-time rushing leader with 7,589 yards on the ground and 80 touchdowns. He starts his journey as a professional athlete just up the road from Rutgers with the New York Giants.
Stapleton started 14 games on the offensive line in his time “On the Banks”, seeing action at both left and right tackle. He embarks on his career in professional football by following in the footsteps of his older brother and former RU standout, Darnell Stapleton. The elder Stapleton also signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent, starting 15 games in the 2008 season at right guard, including the team’s Super Bowl XLIII victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Wynn, the second 2011 Rutgers offensive lineman to make the professional ranks, heads to Tampa Bay to begin his NFL career. He appeared in 25 straight games in the trenches for RU, starting a total of 28 games in his career. Wynn saw time at both right and left guard in his time as a Scarlet Knight.
The RU free agent signees join Rutgers junior All-America WR Mohamed Sanu (South Brunswick, N.J.), who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 83rd overall pick.
