Two Winona State University football players were signed by NFL teams this past summer. Wide Receiver Chris Samp and Quarterback Brian Wrobel, ended their college playing days at the end of the 04-05 season with the Warriors and attended training camps and played with their NFL teams during pre-season football games.

Chris Samp, a 6'3", 217-pound wide receiver for the Warriors, signed a deal with the Green Bay Packers in April following the NFL Draft and practiced with them for several weeks. After being released by the Packers, Samp was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. In this photo, Samp catches a pass during practice with the Eagles. In late August, Samp was released by the Eagles and later signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He wears #19 and is on the Steelers' Practice Squad roster.

With the Warriors, Samp set career records in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) with 39 touchdown receptions and 2,654 receiving yards. He also set a single-season record for completing 1,050 receiving yards, and he is the only NSIC receiver in history to have 1,000 yards in a single season. Samp, 25, a native of Green Bay, Wis., graduated from WSU in fall 2004 with a degree in mass communication.

Brian Wrobel, a 6'2", 191-pound quarterback for the Warriors, signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks in April as an undrafted rookie free agent, following the NFL Draft. Wrobel practiced with the Seahawks throughout training camp and into the pre-season, getting lots of work while competing for a roster spot with four other quarterbacks. In this photo, Wrobel practices during the Seahawks training camp. In mid-August, Wrobel was released by the Seahawks. As this issue of Winona Currents went to press, Wrobel was negotiating with the Green Bay Packers and expected to be signed to the Packer's Practice Squad by the end of October.

Wrobel, 23, a native of Stoddard, Wis., was one of the fastest quarterbacks in this year's NFL rookie class. In eight games his senior season at WSU, Wrobel had 100 completions, 175 attempts, 1,693 yards, 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He also holds the Warrior record for the most touchdowns in one game with six.

Last Modified: Friday, November 04, 2005 14:46 by Rhone Richard