Two former Eastern Michigan football players have found themselves in the NFL.
Former EMU tight end Tyreese Russell and quarterback Rob Bolden have both signed with the Detroit Lions as undrafted mini-camp invitees.
Russell spent all four years of eligibility with the Eagles, while Bolden only played with EMU during the 2014 season after stops at Penn State and LSU.
Russell, a 6’3” tight end out of Chicago, recorded 39 catches for 523 yards with three touchdowns during his senior season and started every game at tight end for the Eagles the past two seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 101 catches for 1,417 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Bolden, a 6’4” quarterback from Orchard Lake, Mich., played in six games in his lone season with the Eagles, starting three, and completed 38 of his 88 pass attempts for 383 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
There are currently three EMU alums in the NFL on active rosters, with G TJ Lang and DE/OLB Andy Mulumba with the Green Bay Packers and DE Jason Jones playing for the Lions.
Both Russell and Bolden have little shot of making the roster with the Lions, as both tight end and quarterback have a long list in front of both players on the depth chart. However, there is a chance for both to be able to find a spot on an NFL practice squad, whether with Detroit or the 31 other teams in the league.
