University at Albany tight end Thomas Greaney and Union running back Ike Irabor worked out together in front of NFL scouts in March at Afrim’s Sports Park in Colonie.
On Saturday night, after going unchosen in the NFL draft, Greaney and Irabor each came to terms with an NFL team.
Greaney agreed on a three-year undrafted free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns, while Irabor accepted an invitation from the New York Giants to try out at their rookie minicamp next weekend.
“(Saturday) was definitely a long day,” said Irabor by phone from Miami, where he has been training. “I definitely got the result at the end of the day and I’m excited about this opportunity and I’m going to make the most out of it.”
Giants scout Marquis Pendleton was one of several NFL representatives at Afrim’s on March 30 who put Greaney, Irabor and former UAlbany running back Todd Sibley Jr. through testing.
“I think it helped a lot, actually,” Irabor said. “Me running a low 4.4, high 4.3 (seconds in the 40-yard dash) definitely helped my draft stock. My broad jump, my vertical, drills showing off my hands and my route-running, that definitely helped me elevate my stock as an NFL player.”
Though the Browns weren’t one of the teams in Colonie, Greaney also caught the NFL’s attention during practices for the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas in February.
“In general, we were looking for a situation where we felt that there wasn’t an overload at the tight end position and he could go in and compete and learn from some great veterans, but be an important young piece to the room,” Nate Richman, Greaney’s agent, said. “We felt like Cleveland had all that as we talked through it.”
Greaney, who said he’d have time to speak on Monday, is the 19th player in UAlbany history to sign an NFL contract. Four Great Danes have appeared in an NFL…
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