Volume 8, Number 3, 1999


Three Blue Hens take flight to NFL

Though their game days in Delaware Stadium may be over, three senior Blue Hen football players will spread their wings in pro football stadiums, as they head this summer to National Football League summer camps.

On NFL draft day, Eddie Conti, HNS '99, signed with the New York Jets as a punt or kick returner, and Brian Cook, AS '99, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a center, guard and long snapper. Former team captain Bryan Soltes, HNS '99, signed with the St. Louis Rams as a defensive tackle.

The Jets wasn't the only team interested in Conti.

"The Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Jets and [New York] Giants all called immediately after the draft," he says. "It got to be like a bidding war. The Jets were the highest and showed the most interest."

In his five years at UD, the 5'8" Conti broke 43 school, conference and NCAA I-AA records, including Jerry Rice's NCAA I-AA season receiving yardage mark of 1,682 set in 1984.

Soltes, who was the 1998 team captain, says some teams like the Rams, hold a mini-camp in June where the rookies learn the passing game and in-depth defensive plays.

"Then, there are three cut days during camp in July," he says. "We have to make it through all these to make it on the team.

"But, when Cook, Conti and I talk, we believe we all can make a good contribution to the teams."

Cook, who also was offered a chance to play with the New York Giants, says the opportunity to play for the NFL is beyond anything he ever imagined.

"Growing up, I never dreamed anything like this would happen," the First Team All-American says. "I am proud to represent Delaware along with the two other guys.

"UD hasn't seen three guys sign into a camp in a long time. It gives a good representation of what Delaware football is all about," Cook says.