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April 28, 2008

ORONO, Maine - Former University of Maine fullback Anthony Cotrone, who wrapped up his eligibility following the 2007 season, signed a rookie free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night following the 2008 NFL Draft. Cotrone joins former Maine teammate Montell Owens, who has been a special teams standout for the Jaguars the past two seasons after also signing with the organization as a rookie free agent in 2006.

Cotrone came to Maine in August of 2003 as a quarterback following an impressive prep career at Holy Trinity High School on Long Island. The Valley Stream, N.Y., native sat out as a redshirt freshman during the 2003 campaign, but was named the Scout Team Player of the Year that season for his strong work ethic in practice.

Cotrone was a backup quarterback during the 2004 season, but had a memorable highlight when he scored on a two-point conversion attempt in Maine's 29-25 win over Richmond. However, Cotrone switched to H-back during the 2005 preseason camp and immediately began playing the position, including starting in the season opener at Nebraska.

A physical blocker and runner, the 6-2, 260-pound Cotrone proved to be a vital back in short yardage situations during his three seasons at the position. In the last two seasons combined, Cotrone carried the ball 24 times for 126 yards and was not tackled behind the line of scrimmage once. He also caught 10 passes for 78 yards during the last two seasons. Cotrone was an important part in Maine's rushing attack as the lead blocking back, and helped the team finish in the top four in the CAA in rushing each of the past two seasons.

With Cotrone's signing, Maine football has now had at least one player either be drafted or signed as a free agent by an NFL team in each of the last four years. Cotrone is the 36th player in program history (dating back to 1956 when Thurlow Cooper was drafted in the 16th round by the Cleveland Browns) to either be drafted or signed by a team. This past season, Maine led all Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools with seven former players in the NFL.

For more information on how former Maine football players are doing in the NFL, please click on the "Black Bears in the NFL" button on the team's page at www.GoBlackBears.com(.)