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Football - Bulldogs in the NFL

National Football League Draft Picks from UMD

Bulldogs Signed by National Football League Teams

Isaac Odim (RB; Not Drafted)
Signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers on July 26, 2011.

Russ Rabe (OLB; Not Drafted)
Signed and received a tryout with New Orleans in 2005. Went on to play with the NFL Europe's Hamburg Sea Devils in the summer of 2006 and was added to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad in November 2006. He also participated in the New York Giants' preseason training camp in 2005 and saw action in a pair of exhibition games before being released.

Brent Griffith (OT; 1990 - Buffalo - 7th, 166)
Played three preseason games with Buffalo in 1990.

Dave Viaene (DT; 1988 - Houston - 8th, 214)
Played in 21 games over three NFL seasons with New England and Green Bay. Was a member of the Packers during Brett Favre's first season with the team.

Ted McKnight (RB; 1977 - Oakland - 2nd, 51)
Enjoyed a six-year NFL career with Kansas City and Buffalo. His best season came in 1979 when the Duluth native led the Chiefs with 755 rushing yards. He also scored eight touchdowns, one of which came on a 64-yard scoring scamper.

Terry Egerdahl (RB; 1976 - Minnesota - 6th, 180)
Played in a handful of preseason games with the Vikings in 1976.

Dick Voltzke (FB; 1969 - Green Bay - 14th, 350)
Never played in the NFL.

Vern Emerson (OT; 1968 - St. Louis - 12th, 313)
Played in 23 games over three seasons with St. Louis in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His best season came in 1970 when he played in 14 games and helped pave the way for Cardinals running back MacArthur Lane to lead all NFL rushers in yards-per-carry and touchdowns. Emerson owns the distinction of being UMD's first-ever draft pick of a professional athletic team.

Tom Adams (SE; Not Drafted)
Played in six games with Minnesota in 1962, hauling in three receptions for 51 yards.

Dick Pesonen (DB; 1961 - Minnesota - NFL Expansion Draft)
Grand Rapids native enjoyed a productive five seasons in the NFL with Green Bay, Minnesota and the New York Giants. Notched four career interceptions. Enjoyed his best season in 1963 when he helped lead the Giants to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the NFL Championship against Chicago. In that 1963 season, Pesonen was used at both defensive back and as a kick and punt returner.

Lou Barle (QB; Not Drafted)
Played in four NFL games over two seasons with Detroit and Cleveland, splitting time at quarterback, halfback and receiver in 1938 and 1939.