Three Vandals catch free agent deals

MOSCOW — Three Idaho football players signed free-agent contracts Saturday at the conclusion of the NFL Draft.

Wide receiver Max Komar signed with the Arizona Cardinals, while safety Jeromy Jones and running back DeMaundray Woolridge went to the St. Louis Rams.

Komar said he heard from the Cardinals during the sixth round of the draft about possibly being a final-round draft pick, but still stayed close to the phone and got his free agent offer shortly after the draft ended. He catches on with a team that is one year removed from a Super Bowl appearance.

Two years after former Vandal and ‘Mr. Irrelevant,’ David Vobora, was drafted by the Rams, the team dipped into the Idaho program again and grabbed two Humanitarian Bowl standouts.

Woolridge, nicknamed “Diesel,” is the bruising running back who earned bowl MVP honors after scoring twice, while Jones grabbed a key interception early in the second half that led to a score and turned the momentum Idaho’s way.

The three free agent signees give Idaho four NFL additions for the 2010 season. Offensive lineman Mike Iupati was taken by San Francisco with the 17th overall pick in the draft.

Former Eastern Washington quarterback Matt Nichols and former tight end Nathan Overbay are expected to sign free agent contracts with NFL teams after going undrafted. Nichols reportedly will be signed by the Dallas Cowboys and Overbay will sign with the Denver Broncos.