Defensive lineman Kendall Reyes, the Chargers' second-round pick in April's NFL Draft, has signed a four-year deal, the team announced on its Twitter feed Tuesday. Reyes, the highest-drafted player out of UConn since the Colts selected running back Donald Brown in the first round of the 2009 draft, immediately upgrades a Chargers defense that was among the worst in the league last season against the run and the pass, according to Football Outsiders.
Reyes will join Chargers first-rounder, linebacker Melvin Ingram, and free-agent acquisition Jarret Johnson to bolster the pass rush. The former Huskies standout spoke recently with the San Diego Union-Tribune about his college career and how it might help him transition to the professional game.
"Every game, every snap plays a role," he said. "The level of play in NFL is obviously much better and much, much faster, but any experience is a plus. I'm going to spend the rest of this offseason picking veterans' brains, learning the scheme and making sure that I'm as ready as possible for the start of training camp."
The process starts this weekend with the Chargers' mini-camp, followed by OTAs and in late July, training camp. And before you know it, the 2012 NFL season will be underway.
Reyes was the only Huskies player drafted in 2012. Former teammate wide receiver Kashif Moore signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent, and kicker Dave Teggart signed with the Bears.
