Undrafted Hull signs with Miami
Canon-McMillan High School graduate Mike Hull continued the area’s string of not having a player selected in the NFL Draft since 1994.
But that doesn’t mean Hull won’t get an opportunity to chase his dream of playing in the NFL.
Immediately after the seven-round draft, the former Penn State star linebacker agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins.
Hull, who was unavailable for comment Saturday, will join a staff that already has strong ties to Washington County. Miami head coach Joe Philbin is a Washington & Jefferson College graduate and began his coaching career with the Presidents.
Hull (6-0, 237) was expected to be selected sometime after the fourth round of the draft but likely fell because of injury concerns.
He suffered a knee injury in Penn State’s bowl win over Boston College that required minor surgery, forcing him out of the Senior Bowl.
Hull did perform at the NFL Draft Combine in February, but suffered a hamstring injury at the Penn State pro day a month later.
A first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2014, Hull was chosen as the conference’s top linebacker after leading the Nittany Lions with 140 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss, and also recording two sacks.
Had he been selected in the draft, it would have marked the first time since Ringgold’s Anthony Peterson that a player from Washington or Greene counties was picked.
Hull can be the first area player to earn a full-time spot on an NFL roster since Peterson and fellow Ringgold graduate Scott Zolak retired following the 1999 season.