WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (April 29, 2017) — Former William & Mary All-America offensive tackle Jerry Ugokwe has signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts, while running back Kendell Anderson earned a rookie minicamp invite from the Atlanta Falcons.
The duo will look to join seven former Tribe players who are currently on NFL rosters – Jerome Couplin III (Los Angeles Rams), DeAndre Houston-Carson (Chicago Bears), Jonathan Grimes (Houston Texans), Sean Lissemore (San Diego Chargers), Tre McBride (Tennessee Titans), Luke Rhodes (Colts) and B.W. Webb (Chicago Bears).
Ugokwe established himself as one of the nation's elite offensive linemen this season en route to garnering All-America distinction by the Associated Press and STATS. Additionally, he was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Although Ugokwe did not begin playing football until his junior year in high school, he continued his impressive trajectory this fall and earned first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors and was a first-team VaSID All-State choice.
A 2017 Senior Bowl Watch List selection, he helped anchor the Tribe's offensive line that ranked 11th nationally in fewest tackles for a loss allowed per game (4.18).
A staple on W&M's offensive line throughout his career, Ugokwe totaled a team-high 42 starts during the past four seasons and was a two-time all-conference selection.
One of the greatest running backs in school history, Anderson finished his career ranked fifth on W&M's all-time rushing list with 3,082 yards. Additionally, he ranks tied for fourth all-time in rushing touchdowns (34) and seventh in all-purpose yards (3,596).
The Centreville, Va., native is one of just two players in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons (Alvin Porch), as he piled up 2,495 yards during his final two campaigns en route to garnering all-conference honors both years.
Anderson's most productive year came during his junior season when he earned first-team all-league honors and was chosen as a STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year Finalist after rushing for 1,418 yards with 16 touchdowns. The impressive rushing total ranked seventh nationally and second on W&M's single-season list.
Despite being limited by injury as a senior and totaling just 89 yards on the ground through the first four games, Anderson finished the 2016 campaign with 1,077 yards and ranked 10th nationally in rushing yards per game (107.7). Additionally, the team captain led the CAA with 129.2 rushing yards per game in conference play and totaled nine rushing touchdowns versus league opponents.
