Former Utah linebacker Gionni Paul signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals after trying out for the team this weekend, the Bengals announced Sunday.
Paul was one of four players the team signed that went to Cincinnati’s rookie mini-camp for a tryout. Former Utah quarterback Travis Wilson was also at Bengals camp on a tryout basis but did not sign a contract.
With Paul joining the Bengals, that makes seven former Utes thus far to join NFL teams in this year’s rookie class, including running back Devontae Booker, selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft.
The 5-foot-10, 225-pound Paul played two seasons for Utah after transferring from Miami (Florida). He earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors as a senior at Utah, leading the team with 117 tackles and adding 13.5 tackles for loss and four fumble recoveries, tying for second nationally. Paul joins a Bengals linebacking crew that added former Utah State linebacker Nick Vigil via the draft.
Including Paul and Wilson, 12 football players with Utah ties were invited to NFL tryouts this weekend. So far, the only other news coming out of team camps is former Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton, who tried out with the Houston Texans, will not be signed by the team at this time, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson.
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