Courtesy: UAlbany Sports InformationAlbany, N.Y. – Former University at Albany cornerback Rashad Barksdale has been claimed off waivers by the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs and has joined the team’s 53-man roster for this Sunday’s NFL opener against the Houston Texans. Defensive end Andre Coleman has been signed to the San Diego Chargers’ practice squad.
Barksdale, who was drafted last spring by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round, was released on Saturday. The Chiefs then picked him up the following day where his positioned at left cornerback on the defensive unit. Coleman signed as a free agent with the Chargers following the draft. He went through training camp, then was released two days ago, and now has been assigned to the team’s eight-man practice squad.
“It feels good and there is a sense of relief to make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster,” said Barksdale, who can become the first UAlbany player to see action in an NFL regular-season game. “I now have a chance to officially prove myself. This is an opportunity that I will take full advantage of, without a doubt.”
Barksdale joined the UAlbany program as a walk-on in August 2006 after playing on the Great Danes’ baseball squad. He immediately worked his way into the starting cornerback position after not competing in football since high school. A native of Hudson, N.Y., Barksdale accounted for 37 tackles, three interceptions and three pass break-ups, and played a major role in the program’s upset wins over Lehigh and Delaware.
Coleman, a 6-foot-3, 274-pound defensive end from Buffalo, N.Y., was named to The Sports Network and Football Gazette Mid-Major All-America first-team units. He was chosen first-team All-Northeast Conference for the second straight year as a senior, when he totaled 42 tackles, 13.0 hits for a loss and 6.0 sacks. He spearheaded a defense that ranked fourth nationally among Division I FCS teams in points allowed (13.0 ppg) and total defense (240.8 ypg).
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