University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Three Golden Eagles Sign As Free Agents
4/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Three Golden Eagles Sign As Free Agents HATTIESBURG, Miss.
Yates (5-10, 181, Holly Springs, Miss.) agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams, Jones (6-3, 278, Gulfport, Miss.) was signed by the San Fransisco 49ers, while Browden (6-3, 260, Baton Rouge, La.) inked a deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Despite two injury-plagued seasons, Yates was granted a sixth-year of eligibility and made the most of his last season. As a redshirt-senior, he recorded 36 tackles, while intercepting two passes and registering nine pass breakups.
Jones, a two-year starter for Southern Miss, finished the 2003 season with 43 tackles, including 27 solo stops, 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He also had two pass breakups and 11 quarterback hurries. Jones was named to the All-Conference USA Third Team.
Browden, a four-year letterwinner for Southern Miss, finished the 2003 season as the team's sixth-leading receiver with 11 catches for 144 yards and scored one touchdown, an average of 13.1 yards per catch, while also being named to the All-Conference USA Second Team. He also was one of the five permanent team captains for the Golden Eagles.
The three players bring the number of 2003 Eagles with a chance at the NFL to six, joining the trio of players who were drafted by NFL teams on Sunday, including Rod Davis (Minnesota), Greg Brooks (Cincinnati) and Etric Pruitt (Atlanta).
