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Bronson goes undrafted, inks a free agent contract with Miami Dolphins

Published 9:16 am Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Things didn’t work out exactly the way Jared Bronson thought they would during last weekend’s NFL Draft in New York City.

The Thomas Jefferson High School graduate went into the draft thinking, like most experts, that he would hear his name called by one of the 32 NFL franchises. But the Central Washington University tight end went undrafted Saturday and Sunday.

Bronson will still have the chance at fulfilling his NFL dreams. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins Sunday night immediately following the conclusion of the seven-round draft.

“It was a little disappointing not to get drafted,” Bronson said, “But things just didn’t work out (to be drafted). I got several calls shortly after the draft ended, and Miami seemed like a good fit for me.”

Bronson was one of two Central players signed as undrafted free agents Sunday. Quarterback Mike Reilly inked with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“They’re both excited about the opportunity, and they get an excellent chance to get in and make the team,” Central head coach Blaine Bennett said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to sign as a free agent so quickly after the draft.”

Entering the draft, Bronson was projected as one of the top tight ends. According to ESPN, Bronson was the 14th-best tight end in the 2009 NFL Draft. Sports Illustrated had Bronson projected as a fifth or sixth rounder and nfldraftscout.com and cbssports.com both had Bronson rated 13th at his position. A total of 19 tight ends were taken Saturday and Sunday.

“I am in the same position (signing as a free agent) as I would have been if I was drafted,” Bronson said. “I still have to go out and keep working hard and compete for a position on (the Dolphins’) roster.”

“He’s one of those under-the-radar type guys who could come in and impress,” agent Michael Hoffman said. “He has that kind of talent. He has all the tools, but coming from one of the small schools one thing he needs is coaching.”

Bronson will be one of five tight ends at the Dolphins’ training camp, which kicks off this summer. Miami selected Monmouth tight end John Nalbone in the fifth round of the 2009 draft and already have Anthony Fasano, David Martin and Joey Haynos on their roster.

After playing quarterback at Jefferson, Bronson switched positions to tight end during his freshman season at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. After a year at Pima, Bronson followed in his father Gordon’s footsteps and transferred to the University of Washington to play tight end for the Huskies. Gordon Bronson was a standout tight end for UW during the 1970s.

But things didn’t work out in Seattle and Bronson ended up transferring to Central Washington, where he played two seasons.

Bronson had a standout senior campaign for the Wildcats despite missing nearly five full games due to a shoulder injury. He ranked second on the team in receiving yards (502) and receiving touchdowns (six) and saved his best collegiate game for last, when he corralled a career-high eight receptions for 169 yards in Central Washington’s 49-42 loss at West Texas A&M in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Division II playoffs.

“It’s been quite a journey,” Bronson said. “I took an unusual path. But this was my goal when I came out of TJ and I just wanted to make it and have a chance to play in the NFL.”