Seven Former Duke Football Players Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts

DURHAM, N.C. (April 18) - Seven former Duke football players signed free agent contracts with six different National Football League teams during the past two days. Darius Clark (Denver), Terrence Dupree (San Francisco), Lamar Grant (San Francisco), Sims Lenhardt (Arizona), Kevin Lewis (New York Giants), Scottie Montgomery (Carolina) and Gannon Shepherd (Chicago) all signed as free agents. On Sunday, departing Blue Devil defensive lineman Chris Combs was drafted in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Clark, a 5-11, 205-pound strong safety, led the Blue Devils with five interceptions in 1999. The Tampa, Fla., native averaged 20.4 yards per interception return as a senior. He ranked third on the team with 88 tackles in 1999 and finished his career with 304 stops (10th all-time at Duke).

A 6-4, 250-pound tight end, Dupree registered 18 catches for 236 yards (13.1) as a senior in 1999. He made 35 catches -- with one TD reception -- during his Duke career.

Grant, a cornerback, ended his college career with seven interceptions, including a career-best four in 1999. The Jackson, N.J., native had 28 career pass break-ups, a figure that ranks third all-time among Duke defenders.

Lenhardt, a placekicker from Charleston, S.C., became Duke's all-time leading scorer in 1999 after he tallied 59 points for a total of 240 points in his Duke career. He also holds the school's all-time consecutive PATs record, connecting on 62 straight attempts.

Lewis ranked fourth on the team with 76 tackles from his outside linebacker spot in 1999. The native of Orlando, Fla. led the team in fumbles forced (2) in 1999 and finished his career with 30.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Montgomery had 51 catches for 819 yards and five touchdowns as Duke's primary receiver in 1999. With 171 career receptions, the native North Carolinian became second on Duke's all-time receptions list. He also ranked third on the Devils' all-time career yardage list with 2,379.

Shepherd, a 6-8, 270-pound defensive tackle, finished his Duke career with 10 tackles for loss, including four in an injury-shortened senior season. A Norcross, Ga., native, Sheppard started 27 games during his career at Duke.

Seven Former Duke Football Players Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts

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