The Bills made a big dent in filling their vacant roster spots Thursday with the signing of 19 undrafted rookie free agents. NFL clubs can carry a maximum of 90 players in the offseason under the terms of the league's new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Here is a brief thumbnail sketch on each of the rookie additions.
LS Danny Aiken – 6'4" 255 – VirginiaA four-year specialist for the Cavaliers, Aiken was the team's exclusive long snapper for his entire college career. Also short snapped for field goals.
WR Kamar Aiken – 6'2" 219 – Central FloridaBig receiver with solid speed (4.45) and strength (19 reps). Had an up and down career in George O'Leary's offense with his breakout season coming in 2009 as a junior when he had 36 catches for 610 yards and nine touchdowns.
S Rajric Coleman – 6'1" 194 – Utah StateA junior college transfer Coleman was a two-year starter for the Aggies that logged five interceptions and a fumble recovery in 23 games played at Utah State. He played free safety, but also has some experience at cornerback. He ran in the 4.5s at his pro day last spring and had a 34.5 inch vertical.
DB Domonic Cook – 5'9" 190 – BuffaloSeasoned defensive back with 47 games under his belt at the University at Buffalo. Physical players that played three seasons at cornerback and his senior season at safety. Compact body frame could limit him to cornerback duties. Ten interceptions in his college career. Also has some experience as a kick returner.
OLB Robert Eddins – 6'3" 242 – Ball St.A 2nd-Team All-MAC performer as a senior, Eddins was the Cardinals' top pass rusher logging 17 sacks in his Ball State career along with 18 quarterback hurries. Played defensive end in the Cardinals' defensive system. Productive player that improved each year in college posting a career-high 63 tackles as a senior with 13 going for loss. Ran a 4.81 40-time at his pro day (1.63 10-yard split) with a 36-inch vertical.
P Reid Forrest – 6'1" 189 – Washington St.Was the active FBS leader in punts and punt yardage in 2010. Averaged a career best 45.4 yards for gross punting average as a senior to rank 9th nationally. Averaged 42.7 for his college career. Forrest's net punting average of 40.7 yards per punt in 2010 was more than four yards better than any of his previous three seasons. Has uncommon leg strength and hang time and can effectively put backspin on the ball to keep it out of the end zone for touchbacks.
SS Sidney Glover – 5'11" 207 – West VirginiaHas played both safety positions in college. A three-year starter, Glover was a team leader for the Mountaineers that hits hard and is a playmaker in the secondary. He had 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions patrolling the West Virginia defensive backfield. Extensive special teams experience. Ran a 4.71 40-time at his pro day and had a 33 ½" vertical at his March pro day.
K Chris Hazley – 6'1" 195 – Virginia TechA walk on that has competed for the Hokies kicking job each of the previous three years, Hazley finally got the job as a senior and was impressive. After missing his first attempt of the season he went on to hit his next 20 in a row to set a school record. Hazley was a perfect 6-6 from 40-yards plus including a long of 52. He was named 1st-Team All-ACC in 2010.
ILB Brandon Hicks – 6'2" 231 – FloridaRotational linebacker that appeared in 53 games in his career with 14 starts for the Gators. Had 117 total tackles in his career with nine sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Likely an inside backer, but showed some pass rush ability in his time at Florida.
ILB Brad Jefferson – 6'2" 244 – Georgia TechPlayed 2010 in a 3-4 defensive front for the first time at inside linebacker. Posted 207 total tackles in his time with the Yellow Jackets and one of the strongest players on the roster as evidenced by his 27 reps on the bench at his pro day. Known as one of the harder hitters in the ACC. Has leadership intangibles.
DE T.J. Langley – 6'4" 290 – Arkansas TechPlayed primarily defensive tackle the past two seasons for Tech, but could project to end for the Bills in a 3-4 system. Had 22 reps on the bench at his pro day last spring and clocked a 5.1 in the 40. Stand and grind type defensive linemen.
CB Loyce Means – 5'11" 179 – HoustonLed the Cougars with three interceptions as a senior and had a nose for the ball with eight picks in his college career, despite not being a full-time starter. Runs in the mid-4.4s and has top flight short area quickness to stay with receivers. Played well when defending slot receivers, not usually fooled on double moves and has good catch-up speed. Wiry type strong. Was Defensive Player of the Game at inaugural Eastham Energy All-Star game scoring three touchdowns off an interception, blocked kick and fumble recovery. Considered a solid special teams candidate.
CB Doyle Miller – 5'11" 185 – NevadaA starter for the past two seasons for the Wolfpack, Miller had 85 tackles over the past two seasons with three interceptions. Known as a solid run support corner, Miller clocked a 4.66 in the 40 at his pro day last spring.
RB Emmanuel Moody – 6'0" 210 – FloridaA rotational back in Florida's system, Moody was productive when given the opportunity. In his college career Moody averaged almost six yards per carry (5.8), which is impressive knowing he's primarily a between the tackles power runner. Wasn't asked to catch too much out of the backfield, so his receiving skills are unproven. Timed out at 4.65 in the 40 at his pro day and put up a solid 24 reps on the bench press.
QB/SS Joshua Nesbitt – 6'1" 217 – Georgia TechThe all-time leading rusher at the quarterback position in ACC history, Nesbitt rushed for over 2,800 yards in his college career (2,806) and 35 touchdowns. A 1st-Team All-ACC performer in 2009 when he led Tech to their first ACC title in almost 20 years. Ran a spread attack in college and threw for over 3,200 yards with 20 touchdowns and 16 INTs. A true double threat at quarterback, but was considered by some NFL clubs as a running back prospect.
A versatile performer, Nesbitt also has experience at safety and could line up on the defensive side of the ball as well in training camp for the Bills.
TE Zach Pianalto – 6'4" 250 – North CarolinaTeammate of Bills 4th and 5th-round picks Da'Norris Searcy and Johnny White. Senior season cut short by a fractured fibula. At the time of the injury he was second in the nation in tight end receptions. Has great hands and has become stronger in the run game. Finished his career with 94 receptions for 918 yards and three touchdowns. Was an NFL Combine invite and ran a 4.78 40-time with 22 reps on the bench.
G Michael Switzer – 6'5" 299 – Ball StateA four-year starter, Switzer made 51 starts in his career with the Cardinals most of which came at left guard. Spent most of his career blocking for the second-leading rusher in Ball State school history (Mi'Quale Lewis). Made 3rd-Team All-MAC in 2010.
RB Vai Taua – 5'10" 220 – NevadaA three-time 1st-Team All-WAC performer, Taua had his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2010. Averaged 127 yards per game as a senior, which ranked sixth in the nation. A secure ball handler that had just two fumbles in over 260 carries (262). Has rushed for three of the eight-best single season rushing totals in school history. Extremely durable and productive back that has almost 700 carries on his college resume along with 53 touchdowns.
OT Isaiah Thompson – 6'4" 300 – HoustonA 2nd-Team All-Conference USA performer, Thompson impressed in just one season as an offensive lineman after spending the previous three on the Cougars defensive line. Though he lacks experience he has an aggressive mentality and his improvement throughout the year demonstrates some upside at the guard position.
