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Former Villanova Wildcats captain and star linebacker Austin Calitro has inked a 2-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Calitro is now back on an NFL roster with former teammates Tanoh Kpassagnon and Brad Seaton.
The #49ers have signed LB Austin Calitro, place Malcolm Smith on the Injured Reserve List. https://t.co/1trCwu3g1V pic.twitter.com/lP4KQ4uukY
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 7, 2017
Calitro originally signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, but was waived by the team in mid-May. The news comes on the back of LB Malcolm Smith’s move to the Injured Reserve List.
Calitro was a star on Villanova’s #1 ranked defense in the FCS last season, amassing a team-leading 86 tackles, 12 TFL, and 3.5 sacks.
Calitro has always been an adept run-stopper and pass-rusher, but he showed incredible versatility during his Senior season on the Main Line by seamlessly rotating between OLB in a 3-3 stack and at DE with his hand on the ground. That range should help him stick in the NFL.
Calitro will wear #47 with the 49ers.