Kansas Football: Five Players Sign as Undrafted Free Agents

The NFL draft didn’t feature any picks from the Kansas football program, but five former players have signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents.

Ben Goodman – Defensive End – New York Jets

Larry Mazyck – Offensive Lineman – Houston Texans

De’Andre Mann – Running Back – Atlanta Falcons

Taylor Cox – Running Back – Dallas Cowboys

Isaiah Johnson (South Carolina) – Safety – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Goodman is arguably the most likely of the group to see a contract past the rookie camp, Goodman was hopeful to make it into the late rounds of the draft last week. The athletic defensive end led Kansas’ defense last season in tackles for loss, sacks, and was the only defender to start all 12 games.

He is expected to get a shot at the linebacker position with the Jets, a position he was originally recruited for at Kansas. Goodman played a variety of positions in his four years at Kansas.

Goodman told Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World that he chose to go with the New York Jets because they aren’t flush with players at that position:

"“They were one of the only teams that has been consistently contacting me over the past couple weeks,” said Goodman when asked why he signed with the Jets. “And the roster isn’t loaded for the position I’m going in as.”"

Johnson, who started every game of his senior year at South Carolina, would also appear to have a reasonable chance at making it past rookie camp. Johnson was one of the leaders of the Gamecocks’ defense last season, finishing second on the team with 74 tackles. Johnson played for new Bucs defensive backs coach John Hoke last season at South Carolina.

Mazyck, Mann, and Cox are unlikely to make NFL rosters beyond the rookie camps.

We will keep any eye out for any further deals made. Defensive tackle Corey King, who transferred to Kansas last season, is expected to get a free agent contract, though nothing has been announced.