April 29, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - For Fresno State head coach Pat Hill, another season has come and gone and even more of his players are living their professional dreams.

Two Bulldog stars from the 2007 squad signed NFL free agent contracts less than 24 hours after the NFL draft concluded.

Linebacker Marcus Riley, the top defensive player in the WAC in 2007, and center Ryan Wendell, also recognized as the best at his position by WAC coaches, will be moving onto Sunday football. Riley signed with the Green Bay Packers and Wendell with the New England Patriots. Wendell is the fourth Bulldog to join the AFC champions in recent years.

A first-team All-WAC selection, Wendell was a four-year starter. As a freshman he was selected to the first-team Freshman All-America team and was the WAC Freshman of the Year, only the second offensive lineman to ever earn that award.

Riley will join former teammate Tyrone Culver, who just finished his second season with the Packers. A three-year starter, Riley led the Dogs in tackles during his senior campaign.

"Marcus and Ryan are special, special young men" said Hill. "I'm proud to have them represent our program at the highest level. They are both great students and graduated, and were complete Bulldog football players. I know they will be successful in life and we are pleased they will get a chance to further their careers. We are pleased they are joining two of the top franchises in the NFL."

Over the weekend, Hill produced his 20th NFL draft choice when former defensive tackle Jason Shirley was selected in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bulldogs had 23 players in the NFL during the 2007 season, the most of any non-BCS conference school. Over the last three seasons, the Bulldogs have produced eight NFL draft choices.

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