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Although they didn't hear their names called in the 2016 NFL Draft, several West Virginia Mountaineers have found new homes in the NFL as undrafted free agents.
Linebacker Shaq Petteway wasted no time following the NFL Draft and signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers. Petteway received plenty of attention at West Virginia's Pro Day, and was able to reach an agreement with the Chargers within minutes of the conclusion of the 7th round this evening. Petteway finished his career as a Mountaineer with 153 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and six sacks.
blessed to say I have signed an free agent deal with @Chargers very excited can't wait to get to work!
— Shaq Petteway ❗️ (@Shaqpett_36) April 30, 2016
Mountaineer cornerback Terrell Chestnut will join Petteway in San Diego after reaching agreement with the Chargers shortly after the draft ended. Chestnut battled through two shoulder injuries and a knee surgery in his career at West Virginia and finished with 86 tackles, 20 passes deflected and four interceptions.
Blessed to say that I have signed a free agent deal and will be joining my brother @Shaqpett_36 with the San Diego Chargers!!!!
— Rell16 (@TChestnut) April 30, 2016
Check out Bolts From The Blue to keep up with Shaq and Terrell's new team.
Another Mountaineer that was quick to sign an undrafted free agent deal was defensive lineman Kyle Rose. Rose inked a deal with the Cleveland Browns. Rose played nose tackle in West Virginia's 3-3-5 defense and racked up 155 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks during his career in Morgantown.
I'm very blessed to say that I'll be continuing my career with @Browns!! Can't wait to get to work!
— Kyle Rose (@Krozzay4) April 30, 2016
The best place for a hard nosed #DAWG is the #DawgPound - congrats @Krozzay4 on signing with Cleveland!
— Tony Gibson (@TonyGibsonWVU) April 30, 2016
Head over to Dawgs By Nature to follow Kyle Rose and the Browns.
West Virginia offensive lineman Marquis Lucas is headed to the Buffalo Bills where he will try to impress the Bills' coaching staff and secure a spot on the offensive line. Lucas can look at fellow undrafted Mountaineer offensive lineman, Tennessee Titans' Quinton Spain for inspiration and guidance. Spain signed an undrafted free agent deal last year, made the Titans roster following training camp and found his way into the starting lineup.
Congratulations to Marquis Lucas - signing with Buffalo Bills. Damn happy for you and proud of you. You've earned it and deserve it
— Ron Crook (@CrookWVU) April 30, 2016
Check out Buffalo Rumblings for the latest on the Buffalo Bills.
West Virginia long snapper John DePalma will be following Wendell Smallwood to the Philadelphia Eagles. DePalma came into West Virginia in 2012 on a late scholarship and won the starting job. John played in 50 games in his career in Morgantown and never had a bad snap. He was named Special Teams MVP in 2013.
So thankful for this opportunity to be apart of the @Eagles !! Blessed beyond belief. #FlyEaglesFly
— John DePalma (@JDePalmaWVU87) April 30, 2016
Follow Bleeding Green Nation for all your Wendell Smallwood and John DePalma news.