Former Hurricanes DL Sweeney Signs With Eagles
July 20, 2000
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Former University of Miami defensive tackle Matt Sweeney signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this week, becoming the ninth former UM player from the draft-eligible class of 2000 to sign with an NFL team. Sweeney joins former UM center Ty Wise on the Eagles roster. Wise signed a free agent contract with the Eagles earlier this summer.
Sweeney, a native of Lafayette, NJ, started his final 23 games at UM and ranked eighth on the team in tackles in 1999 with 57 stops. Last season, Sweeney had six tackles for loss, two pass break ups, a fumble recovery and 1.5 quarterback sacks.
Since 1987, Miami has produced a national-best 46 “premium” draft picks (players selected in the first three rounds). Three of the five Hurricanes selected in the 2000 NFL Draft went in the first three rounds (Daniel “Bubba” Franks, 1st round, Green Bay, Michael Boireau, 2nd round, Minnesota, Nate Webster, 3rd round, Tampa Bay).
UM players from the 1999 roster currently in NFL camps:
Name, Team
Daniel Franks, Green Bay Packers
Michael Boireau, Minnesota Vikings
Nate Webster, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Richard Mercier, Baltimore Ravens
Mondriel Fulcher, Oakland Raiders
Jeff Popovich, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Andy Crosland, Minnesota Vikings
Ty Wise, Philadelphia Eagles
Matt Sweeney, Philadelphia Eagles
The 2000 Hurricanes begin their season by hosting McNeese State on Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Orange Bowl. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. For ticket information about Hurricanes football, contact the UM Ticket Office at (305) 284-CANES in Dade or 1-800-GO-CANES.
