PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – With the NFL lockout coming to an end
on Monday, former Prairie View A&M football standouts Chris Adingupu (Uh –Ding – goo – poo) and Quinton Spears quickly began the next chapter in their professional lives as both players signed free agent contracts. Adingupu inked with the Minnesota Vikings
while Spears signed with the Miami Dolphins.
“This means a lot for our program as it lets people know you
can come here and be developed,” said head coach Heishma Northern. “These are the first two guys who have been
here for four years that have signed NFL contracts immediately after their
collegiate career ended and the third defender overall as defensive end
Jermaine McGhee signed with Buffalo in 2009.
Their signings are a testament to the commitment made by the
administration in terms of funding the program.
I hope both players can make the active roster and have a prosperous
career.”
A native of Miami, Fla., Adingupu played safety for the
Panthers and is a four-year letterwinner.
He led the team in tackles last season with 84, tallied 3.5 tackles for
loss, broke up eight passes and forced three fumbles en route to All-SWAC
Honors. He also represented Prairie View
A&M in the annual Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl in Atlanta, Ga.
“Chris came here as a transfer looking for a place where he
could fit in,” said Northern. “He came
in and matured on and off the field in terms of doing things the right way as
well as becoming a team leader in tackles.”
Spears is a three-time All-SWAC performer and finished last
season with a career-best 70 tackles, four sacks, nine tackles for loss and
three blocked punts. A 6-6, 250-pound
defensive end from Montgomery, Texas who began his collegiate career as a wide receiver, Spears was also a 2009 Sheridan Black College All-American and the 2009 SWAC Championship Football Game Defensive MVP.
“Quinton came here as a walk-on wide receiver but we saw
something in him as I thought he could be our next Jason Hatcher (former
Grambling State and current Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman),” stated
Northern. “He put on some weight, became a pass rush specialist and developed his all-around game. I hope he can make an impact on defense or special teams as he can run and has the ability to block kicks.” Ryan McGintyInterim Sports Information Director
Prairie View A&M University
P.O. Box 519, Mail Stop 1500
Prairie View, Texas 77446
(936) 261-9140
rjmcginty@pvamu.edu
www.pvpanthers.com
http://twitter.com/PVAthletics
www.facebook.com (PV Panther Athletics)
