By Tom James
Tribune-Star Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS —
While the Indianapolis Colts aren’t expected to officially announce their complete list of undrafted free agents until the end of the week, several players have reportedly agreed to deals with the team.
Among those set to join the Colts are quarterback Tim Hiller (Western Michigan), running back Javarris James (Miami), wide receiver Blair White (Michigan State), offensive tackle Jeff Linkenbach (Cincinnati), cornerback Thad Turner (Ohio), defensive back Mike Newton (Buffalo), kick returner Brandon James (Florida), placekicker Brett Swenson (Michigan State), cornerback Brandon King (Purdue) and linebacker Vuna Tuihalamaka (Arizona).
Javarris James is a cousin of former Indianapolis first-round draft choice Edgerrin James. The addition of Brandon James will give the Colts another rookie kickoff and punt return candidate. Former Indiana University cornerback/kick returner Ray Fisher was a seventh-round draft pick by the team on Saturday.
Team president Bill Polian said recently that with running back Chad Simpson being released, along with the decision not to re-sign cornerback/punt returner T.J. Rushing, the top candidate to handle return duties is second-year wide receiver Sam Giguere.
• Indiana college free agents — In addition to King, other undrafted free agents from Indiana colleges include linebacker Matt Newberry (IU, Chicago), linebacker Will Patterson (IU, Houston), safety Nick Polk (IU, Houston), tight end Troy Wagner (IU, Cleveland), center Jared Zwilling (Purdue, Tampa Bay), quarterback Joey Elliott (Purdue, Philadelphia) and safety Sergio Brown (Notre Dame, New England).
Missouri Valley Conference players signed as undrafted free agents are offensive lineman Keith Buckman (North Dakota State, New York Jets), running back Pat Paschall (North Dakota State, New England), safety Quentin Scott (Northern Iowa, Chicago), cornerback Patrick Stoudamire (Western Illinois, San Francisco), wide receiver Donald Jones (Youngstown State, Buffalo) offensive lineman Casey Bender (South Dakota State, Cleveland) and offensive lineman Casey Knips (South Dakota State, Arizona). Indiana State safety Donye McCleskey has been invited to the New York Jets’ rookie mini-camp later this week, as reported in Sunday’s Tribune-Star.
Two ex-Eastern Illinois players, offensive tackle Chris Campbell (Green Bay) and placekicker Austin Signor (Kansas City), have been added to NFL rosters.
Illinois tight end Jeff Cumberland signed with the Jets and Quarterback Juice Williams was invited to try out for the Bears. There have been internet reports that Illini wrestler John Wise has been offered a chance to try out for the Patriots as an offensive lineman.
