Five Wolverines Sign Rookie Free Agent Deals
5/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Five fifth-year seniors from the University of Michigan football team have agreed to free agent contracts with National Football League organizations following this past weekend's 2006 NFL Draft. This group will join the three Wolverines selected during the 71st annual selection meetings.
All-Big Ten first team offensive linemen Matt Lentz (Ortonville, Mich./Ortonville HS) and Adam Stenavich (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield HS) and a defensive trio that includes defensive end/linebacker Pierre Woods (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville HS), cornerback Grant Mason (Pontiac, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's HS) and defensive tackle Pat Massey (Brecksville, Ohio/St. Ignatius HS) have reached rookie free agent agreements with NFL squads.
Two-time All-Big Ten first team selection Lentz received an offer from the New York Giants. Lentz was a four-year letterman that started 36 of his final 37 career games at right guard (missed the Eastern Michigan game in 2005 due to injury). He will join former Wolverine players Amani Toomer and Jay Feely on the Giants roster as well as linebackers coach Bill Sheridan, a former U-M defensive assistant coach for three seasons.
Fellow offensive linemate Stenavich signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers, a participant in last season's NFC championship game. A two-time All-Big Ten first team performer like Lentz, Stenavich started 39 career games and played in 45 career contests. He started all but one game at left tackle, a career beginning start at right guard vs. Illinois in 2002.
Woods inked a deal with the New England, joining two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady on the Patriots roster. Woods accumulated 11 tackles for loss in 24 stops during the 2005 season. He added three sacks, forced two fumbles and batted down one pass. A special teams standout during his career, Woods contributed 121 tackles, 27 TFLs and 10 sacks.
Starting cornerback Mason reached agreement with the New Orleans Saints. He will join former U-M offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Terry Malone with the Saints organization, the team's tight end coach under first-year head coach Sean Payton. Mason was second on the team with 85 stops in 2005, including a team-high 16 tackles against Notre Dame (Sept. 10). He also added a team-high-tying nine pass breakups, two interceptions and two tackles for loss.
Massey, a 2005 co-captain along with Philadelphia Eagles fourth-round draft pick Jason Avant, will join the San Diego Chargers as a free agent. He joins last season's rookie free agent pickup cornerback Markus Curry on the roster. Massey made 31 stops in 2005, including one sack, one forced fumble and two pass breakups. He led the U-M defense with 32 career starts along the defensive line and appeared in 48 contests. Massey fell four stops shy of the century mark during his career, collecting 96 career stops, 17 TFLs, 10 sacks and six pass breakups.
Following is list of Wolverine rookie free agent signings:
| Player, Pos. | NFL Team |
| Matt Lentz, OG | New York Giants |
| Grant Mason, CB | New Orleans Saints |
| Pat Massey, DE/DT | San Diego Chargers |
| Adam Stenavich, OT | Carolina Panthers |
| Pierre Woods, DE/LB | New England Patriots |
Media Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
