April 27, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State football program saw its three-year streak of NFL draftees come to an end Sunday, but the Redbirds still sent players to the league after quarterback Luke Drone and offensive lineman Isaiah Wiggins each signed free-agent contracts.

Drone signed with the Buffalo Bills, while Wiggins inked with the Baltimore Ravens. Both will leave Thursday and participate in their respective team's mini-camp over the weekend.

"I'm excited to go in and to compete for a job," said Drone. "I've already talked to the quarterbacks coach and it is a great situation. I'm looking forward to it and I'm just going to go in this weekend and do my best. Hopefully, it will result in me getting invited to training camp later in the summer."

Wiggins, who anticipated his NFL career being an offensive center, was signed by Baltimore to play tackle, where he was a two-time All-Gateway Football Conference First-Team selection with the Redbirds.

"I just want to do the best that I can, and make a spot on the roster," said Wiggins. "I'm relived this part is over, and I'm just anxious to get to camp this weekend and start working."

The two former Redbirds join Aveion Cason (Detroit Lions), Boomer Grigsby (Miami Dolphins), Brent Hawkins (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Laurènt Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) on current NFL rosters.