Mocs Running Back Buckley Signs Free-Agent Deal With NFL's San Diego Chargers

Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Eldra Buckley is No. 30
Eldra Buckley is No. 30
- photo by San Diego Chargers

Eldra Buckley, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team's leading rusher for the past two seasons, signed a free agent contract with the NFL's San Diego Chargers Monday.

Buckley will report to the Chargers' headquarters in San Diego, Calif., Friday for a two-day rookie mini-camp Saturday and Sunday.

Buckley, a native of Charleston, Miss., ran for 1,230 yards as a junior at UTC in 2005 and 1,204 with seven touchdowns last season. He was voted All-Southern Conference both years.

Buckley received telephone calls from several NFL teams following this past weekend’s NFL Draft, asking him to consider signing a free agent contract. Buckley said he chose San Diego because he thought it offered him the best opportunity to make the team.

He is one of 22 other free-agent signees to join the Chargers Monday.

LaDainian Thomlinson, a six-year tailback with the Chargers, was the NFL's Most Valuable Player last season for AFC West Division-winning San Diego.

Buddy Nix, the Chargers' Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel, was the head football coach at UTC from 1984 to 1992.


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