In addition to Villanova cornerback Christian Benford being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of last week’s NFL Draft, 20 former CAA Football standouts will attempt to earn a NFL roster spot as free agent signees or invitees to upcoming minicamps.

Six players have signed free agent contracts with six different NFL squads to this point: Elon quarterback Davis Cheek (Carolina Panthers), Towson running back Jerry Howard, Jr. (Philadelphia Eagles), Maine wide receiver Andre Miller (New York Giants), Villanova linebacker Forrest Rhyne (Indianapolis Colts), William & Mary offensive lineman Andrew Trainer (Los Angeles Chargers) and Villanova cornerback Denzel Williams (Baltimore Ravens).

There are 14 players who have received invitations to participate in upcoming minicamps. Headed to camps are Villanova defensive back Nowoola Awopetu (New York Jets), Maine offensive lineman PJ Barr (Pittsburgh Steelers), Richmond linebacker Tyler Dressler (Pittsburgh Steelers/New York Jets), Villanova offensive lineman MJ Dumas (Indianapolis Colts), Villanova defensive lineman Malik Fisher (New Orleans Saints), James Madison offensive lineman Liam Fornadel (Pittsburgh Steelers), Towson offensive lineman Andrew Garnett (Arizona Cardinals), James Madison defensive lineman Mike Greene (Chicago Bears/Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Delaware defensive back Nijuel Hill (Washington Commanders), Richmond wide receiver Jonathan Johnson (Washington Commanders), Delaware offensive lineman David Kroll (Chicago Bears/Indianapolis Colts), Delaware running back Dejoun Lee (Washington Commanders), Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith (New York Jets) and Rhode Island defensive back Coby Tippett (New England Patriots).

CAA Football had 16 players on active NFL rosters at the close of the 2021 season. In addition, seven former players were on the injured reserve list and 10 players were on practice squads.

Free Agent Signees

Davis Cheek, QB, Elon - Carolina Panthers

Jerry Howard, Jr., RB, Towson - Philadelphia Eagles

Andre Miller, WR, Maine - New York Giants

Forrest Rhyne, LB, Villanova - Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Trainer, OL, William & Mary - Los Angeles Chargers

Denzel Williams, CB, Villanova - Baltimore Ravens

Minicamp Invitations

Nowoola Awopetu, DB, Villanova - New York Jets

PJ Barr, OL, Maine - Pittsburgh Steelers

Tyler Dressler, LB, Richmond - Pittsburgh Steelers/New York Jets

MJ Dumas, OL, Villanova - Indianapolis Colts

Malik Fisher, DL, Villanova - New Orleans Saints

Liam Fornadel, OL, James Madison - Pittsburgh Steelers

Andrew Garnett, OL, Towson - Arizona Cardinals

Mike Greene, DL, James Madison - Chicago Bears/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Nijuel Hill, DB, Delaware - Washington Commanders

Jonathan Johnson, WR, Richmond - Washington Commanders

David Kroll, OL, Delaware - Chicago Bears/Indianapolis Colts

Dejoun Lee, RB, Delaware - Washington Commanders

Daniel Smith, QB, Villanova - New York Jets

Coby Tippett, DB, Rhode Island - New England Patriots