According to a report from Doug Kyed of NESN, the Philadelphia Eagles have filled out their 10-man practice squad by signing linebacker Colton Underwood. [Update: Underwood has confirmed the signing via Twitter.]
LB Colton Underwood, who worked out with the Patriots, signed to the Eagles' practice squad, according to a source.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyedNESN) September 3, 2014
Underwood is a rookie outside linebacker that hails from Indianapolis, Indiana. At only 22 years of age, he measures in at 6-3 and 254 lbs. Underwood played college football at Illinois State before signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in May 2014.
Underwood played in 45 preseason snaps for the Chargers, according to Pro Football Focus. During that time he showed some potential as a pass rusher. Underwood recorded 1 sack (which was actually on a game-ending play), 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback hurries.
Here's a scouting report on Underwood via Nolan Nawrocki (NFL.com)
Strengths
Thickly built and muscular. Toils in the weight room, and it shows (26 bench press reps). Good eyes and instincts. Plays with leverage. Motor runs hot -- brings consistent intensity and pursuit effort. Closes hard down the line. Arrives with bad intentions and hits with thump. Has some bulldog in him -- lined up everywhere and competed even when overmatched. Has a special-teams mentality. Outstanding, face-of-the-program type makeup -- very hardworking, tough and competitive. Loves football and hones his craft when no one's watching. Professional approach. Team captain as a 21-year-old senior.Weaknesses
Has 'tweener traits -- lacks ideal length for defensive end and speed for outside linebacker. Plays short-armed and can be subdued by larger linemen who get their hands on him. Is tight-hipped and shows some stiffness in his movement (shows in space). Average suddenness and flexibility. Does not change direction or accelerate explosively. Too much production is effort-based, and numbers decreased as a senior without the benefit of Nate Palmer (Packers) and Shelby Harris on the line.Draft Projection
Round 7-Priority free agentBottom Line
A two-time Buck Buchanan Award finalist, Underwood is a productive, motivated, high-motor effort rusher who compensates for natural limitations with relentlessness. Has the determination to carve a niche as a core special-teams player and backup defensive end/rotational pass rusher, but will have to adapt as a small fish in a big pond, particularly given his short arms and average athleticism and flexibility.
Further, here are some of Underwood's college highlights.
The signing of Underwood now brings the Eagles' practice squad back to the 10-player limit after it was reported on Tuesday night that WR/CB Teddy Williams would not be signing with Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Eagles 10-man practice squad
QB G.J. Kinne
RB Matthew Tucker
S Ed Reynolds II
WR Will Murphy
NT Wade Keliikipi
OT Kevin Graf
WR Quron Pratt
G/C Josh Andrews
ILB Emmanuel Acho
OLB Colton Underwood