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Villanova NFL Movement

Villanova football #2[Updated 4/26 - 5pm] The NFL draft ended after the 7th round selections were made on Saturday night. No Villanova players were selected in this year's draft. The last Wildcat player to be picked in the NFL draft was Tight End Matthew Sherry, who was selected by the Bengals in the 6th round in 2008.

Immediately after "Mr. Irrelevant" (the very last selection) is announced, NFL teams are free to call and offer contracts or try-outs to any undrafted player.

Since then, two graduating Villanova football players have agreed to sign undrafted free agent contracts with NFL franchises.

Shortly after the draft, we learned that standout Villanova safety, Ross Ventrone, signed with the New England Patriots. Ventrone's brother, Raymond (also a former Villanova football safety), had previously played for the Patriots, and has also had brief stops with the Jets and Browns. Ventrone is considered small for his position, at 5'8" and 190lbs (his size is similar to NY Jets SS Jim Leonhard), but he is one of the most athletic safeties in his class.

This afternoon we learned that Brandyn Harvey, a graduating wide receiver, will sign with the Atlanta Falcons. Harvey will be the second Wildcat to join the Falcons, who also have alumnus Brian Finneran on their roster. Brandyn was best-known at Villanova  for his amazing hands, but he also stands out as a great blocking WR and a special teams player. He recently generated some buzz with a good pro-day (among other measurables, he recorded the top broad-jump among receivers).

Finally, Brian Westbrook took a physical with the St. Louis Rams on Saturday. The Rams did not draft a running back this year, but could use a backup for Steven Jackson. Any negotiations between Westbrook and the Rams are in the very early stages, however. Coach Steve Spagnuolo commented that it was "way, way early." Westbrook missed eight games last year after two concussions and an ankle injury sidelined him. He had previously visited with the Vikings, who drafted Stanford running back Toby Gerhardt this weekend.

Update (10:52pm): Leigh Mayock tells me she has also heard that senior linebacker Osayi Osunde has been invited to the Green Bay Packers' training camp for a tryout. His pro-day workouts were hampered by a tight quad muscle.

Update (4/26, 8:55am): Villanova football's twitter account reports that two other Wildcats have signed free agent deals. Offensive lineman Jonathan Bugli has signed a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, and defensive lineman Phil Matusz has signed with the New Orleans Saints

Update (4/26, 5:07pm): A recent tweet by the Villanova football office corrects earlier information: Bugli and Matusz have been offered try-outs, not contracts. Osayi Osunde will try out with the Packers and quarterback Antwon Young has also been offered a try out next week (though we are not sure which team offered).