The University of Akron Athletics
Three Zips Sign NFL Rookie Free Agent Contracts; Three Invited to Mini Camps
April 30 | Football
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2019 Season Tickets
AKRON, Ohio – Three Akron Zips– DB Kyron Brown (New York Jets), DE Jamal Davis II (Houston Texans), and WR Kwadarrius Smith (Tennessee Titans)– have signed as rookie free agents with NFL teams.
They join linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 34th pick in the sixth round (207th pick overall) on Saturday.
Brown (Boynton Beach, Fla.), who played in every game of his collegiate career (51), served as a team captain as a senior. A 2018 second-team All-MAC selection, he started all 12 games at cornerback last fall. A two-time recipient of the Harry "Doc" Smith Award, he finished his senior season with 48 tackles, a team-best seven break-ups, 3.0 TFL, a sack, and an interception. Named the co-Defensive MVP and Defensive MVP in the weight room last spring, Brown played in the 2019 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Davis (Canton, Ohio) was a two-year starter for the Zips after transferring from Pittsburgh. A two-time All-MAC honoree at defensive end, he started all 12 games as a senior. A 2018 first-team All-MAC pick by Phil Steele, he was the top lineman and third overall with 82 tackles, a team-best 16.0 TFL for a loss of 72 yards, a team-best six break-ups, a team-best six hurries, 4.0 sacks, and a forced fumble. He was a 2018 second-team All-MAC pick by the coaches. Davis participated in the 2019 NFL Combine.
Smith (Orlando, Fla.) was a dual-sport athlete at Akron for three seasons, also competing as a sprinter for the Mid-American Conference Champion track team. As a senior, he finished second in receiving with 538 yards and three touchdowns on 33 receptions in eight starts. As a junior in 2017, Smith was third in receiving with 34 receptions for a team-high 726 yards and a team-best seven touchdowns to finish as the Zips' scoring leader with 42 points. Smith finished his collegiate career with 1,411 career receiving yards. He played in the 2019 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl.
Additionally, three Zips have received invitations to mini-camp workouts: LB Brian Bell (Cleveland Browns), DE Walter Brady (Cleveland Browns), WR Mykel Traylor-Bennett (Oakland Raiders).
Under first-year head coach Tom Arth, Akron opens the 2019 season at Illinois on August 31. The home opener is slated for Sept. 7 against UAB.
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all six home games as well as a parking pass—can be purchased now, starting at only $60 each. Renewals (for current season ticket holders) and new seats are now available for purchase by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
2019 Season Tickets
AKRON, Ohio – Three Akron Zips– DB Kyron Brown (New York Jets), DE Jamal Davis II (Houston Texans), and WR Kwadarrius Smith (Tennessee Titans)– have signed as rookie free agents with NFL teams.
They join linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 34th pick in the sixth round (207th pick overall) on Saturday.
Brown (Boynton Beach, Fla.), who played in every game of his collegiate career (51), served as a team captain as a senior. A 2018 second-team All-MAC selection, he started all 12 games at cornerback last fall. A two-time recipient of the Harry "Doc" Smith Award, he finished his senior season with 48 tackles, a team-best seven break-ups, 3.0 TFL, a sack, and an interception. Named the co-Defensive MVP and Defensive MVP in the weight room last spring, Brown played in the 2019 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Davis (Canton, Ohio) was a two-year starter for the Zips after transferring from Pittsburgh. A two-time All-MAC honoree at defensive end, he started all 12 games as a senior. A 2018 first-team All-MAC pick by Phil Steele, he was the top lineman and third overall with 82 tackles, a team-best 16.0 TFL for a loss of 72 yards, a team-best six break-ups, a team-best six hurries, 4.0 sacks, and a forced fumble. He was a 2018 second-team All-MAC pick by the coaches. Davis participated in the 2019 NFL Combine.
Smith (Orlando, Fla.) was a dual-sport athlete at Akron for three seasons, also competing as a sprinter for the Mid-American Conference Champion track team. As a senior, he finished second in receiving with 538 yards and three touchdowns on 33 receptions in eight starts. As a junior in 2017, Smith was third in receiving with 34 receptions for a team-high 726 yards and a team-best seven touchdowns to finish as the Zips' scoring leader with 42 points. Smith finished his collegiate career with 1,411 career receiving yards. He played in the 2019 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl.
Additionally, three Zips have received invitations to mini-camp workouts: LB Brian Bell (Cleveland Browns), DE Walter Brady (Cleveland Browns), WR Mykel Traylor-Bennett (Oakland Raiders).
Under first-year head coach Tom Arth, Akron opens the 2019 season at Illinois on August 31. The home opener is slated for Sept. 7 against UAB.
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all six home games as well as a parking pass—can be purchased now, starting at only $60 each. Renewals (for current season ticket holders) and new seats are now available for purchase by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
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