Three former UCLA football players were signed as undrafted free agents after the seventh round of the NFL draft on Saturday.
Defensive back Anthony Jefferson was signed by the Chicago Bears. He will try to bolster a depleted secondary that lost the services of cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman to the Carolina Panthers at the end of the season. Jefferson, however, has room to cover in order to catch up to Tillman’s 3.5 forced fumbles per game. The former Bruin did not force a single fumble during his time at UCLA.
Malcolm Bunche also begins his professional career as he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Bunche, a transfer from the University of Miami, featured on the Bruins’ offensive line in every UCLA game during the 2014-2015 season except in UCLA’s 40-35 win over Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl. The lineman will join an Eagles team that has managed decent numbers in terms of protecting the quarterback. Philadelphia finished the 2014-2015 NFL season allowing 32 sacks, 5.9 sacks fewer than the league average of 37.9.
Completing the trio is defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy, who signed with the Miami Dolphins after the conclusion of the draft. McCarthy didn’t start a single game in his final season as a Bruin, but he brings to the Dolphins’ defense his physical strength and a 6-foot-5 frame that earned him five-star acclaim as a high school football player. Although with the Dolphins’ defensive front headed by Pro-Bowlers Cameron Wake and newly-acquired free agent Ndamukong Suh, McCarthy will have to fight to make the Dolphins’ roster.
Compiled by Aubrey Yeo, Bruin Sports senior staff.