University of Pittsburgh Athletics
DeCicco and Hynoski Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts
7/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 26, 2011
PITTSBURGH—With Monday’s resolution of the NFL lockout, two former Pitt football standouts quickly signed free agent contracts.
Safety Dom DeCicco signed with the Chicago Bears, while fullback Henry Hynoski inked a deal with the New York Giants.
DeCicco was a two-time All-Big East selection at Pitt and concluded his collegiate career with 12 interceptions and 244 tackles. In his final collegiate game, a 27-10 win in the BBVA Compass Bowl over Kentucky, DeCicco led the team with nine tackles, including two for loss, and a forced fumble.
Pitt’s starting fullback the past two years, Hynoski was instrumental in helping the Panthers produce a 1,000-yard rusher in 2009 and 2010. Hynoski rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries (3.9 avg.) for his career. He also caught 40 passes for 283 yards (7.1 avg.) and a TD.
Those signings give Pitt a total of seven players who will join NFL teams in 2011. The Panthers had five players selected in April’s NFL Draft: receiver Jon Baldwin (first round, Kansas City Chiefs), defensive end Jabaal Sheard (second round, Cleveland Browns), running back Dion Lewis (fifth round, Philadelphia Eagles), offensive lineman Jason Pinkston (fifth round, Cleveland Browns) and defensive end Greg Romeus (seventh round, New Orleans Saints) in the seventh.
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