Three former Tigers sign NFL contracts

A storm for the ages.

A season for the ages.

Now a signing class for the ages.

After Hurricane Katrina shortened the Northeast Tiger football season in 2005 by just two games, NEMCC ran the table through the North Division and the regular season for a perfect 7-0 mark.

Three members of that undefeated team are reaping the rewards for their hard work during that trying time.

Former NE quarterback Bruce Hall, defensive end Chris Bradwell and defensive back Justin Sanders have all inked deals with National Football League teams.

Hall signed with the Buffalo Bills while Bradwell and Sanders caught on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions, respectively.

Hall, who spent one year at Northeast follow his transfer from Wake Forrest, led the Northeast Tigers to a No. 2 national ranking and a Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl appearance against Trinity Valley, Texas during his stint at Northeast.

“I’m so proud for Bruce,” said Northeast Football Coach Andy Greening. “He’s one of those kids that deserve a shot at that level. He is the hardest worker I have ever coached, not to mention one of the smartest. He’ll succeed at whatever he does wherever he goes.”

Hall racked up 1,086 yards through the air and 10 TDs against six interceptions while completing 52.1-percent (88-for-169) of his passes while under center for the Tigers. The versatile quarterback turned running back for the Ole Miss Rebels racked up 421 yards and a score on 85 touches and had 15 catches for 149 yards and another touchdown during his two years in Oxford.

Bradwell anchored down the defensive line for the Tigers during their perfect season in 2005.

The 6-4, 280-pound defensive end mowed through the competition during his one year with the Tigers accounting for 24 tackles – 10 for loss. Bradwell helped keep the opposition’s offense at bay with his 10 tackles for loss that totaled 43.5 yards and registered four sacks for 28 yards during his time at NEMCC.

After sitting out the 2006 season, Bradwell continued to put fear in the opposition for the Troy University Trojans. The defensive end clocked time in 12 games during the Trojans 8-4 season and racked up 36 tackles – eight for loss and four sacks – and recovered a pair of fumbles.

Sanders made it a trio of Tigers in the NFL when he inked with the Detroit Lions on May 7.

After putting up 23 tackles – one for a loss, one sack, three pass break ups and a forced fumble and recovery during the 2005 season, Sanders joined former University of Florida Head Coach Ron Zook at the University of Illinois for his final two seasons on the collegiate gridiron.

Sanders capped his senior season for the Fighting Illini with 57 tackles – four for loss – one sack, one interception and three forced fumbles and led the Illini to a Rose Bowl appearance against the University of Southern California and a No. 13 national ranking in the Associated Press football poll.

“Justin will have a great NFL career, there’s no question,” said NEMCC head football coach Andy Greening. “He makes the third guy off that ’05 team that’s signed with an NFL team in the last week, and with talent and leadership like that it’s no wonder we had so much success that year.