Parker, Mattingly, Josiah Sign Contracts
April 22, 2002 | Football
April 22, 2002
University of Louisville football players Zek Parker, Chip Mattingly and Michael Josiah will join Deion Branch in the ranks of the NFL after singing free agent contracts on Sunday.
Key members of a 2001 squad which notched a school-record 11 wins, claimed a second consecutive Conference USA title and a victory over BYU in the Liberty Bowl, Parker, Mattingly and Josiah agreed to terms on contracts to continue their playing careers in the NFL.
Parker, a wide receiver/kick returner, will join former teammate Arnold Jackson with the Arizona Cardinals. A second team All-Conference USA selection in 2000 and a first team selection in 2001, the speedy Parker wrapped up his four-year collegiate career as the U of L and C-USA record holder for kickoff returns (103) and kickoff return yards (2,558). A native of Athens, Ala., Parker also holds the U of L record for all-purpose yards (6,311) and ranks sixth on the school's career list for receiving yards (1,804) and eighth for career receptions (128).
Mattingly heads to the Buffalo Bills after concluding his four-year Cardinal career as a nearly flawless long snapper. A native of Louisville and St. Xavier High School, Mattingly earned letters in each of his four seasons as a key contributor to the offense and special teams units. Slated to redshirt his freshman season, Mattingly was pressed into duty after posting NFL times as a long snapper and quickly proved his worth on special teams and short yardage situations.
Josiah heads to the Cleveland Browns as the U of L record holder for career sacks (31) and tackles for loss (43). A pass rushing specialist, Josiah tallied 24 sacks over the last two seasons, including a Conference USA-high 13 in 2000. A first team All-Conference USA selection last season, Josiah teamed with Dewayne White to give the Cardinals one of the nation's best one-two pass rushing combinations as the duo combined for 26 sacks, more than four C-USA teams.
