Arizona Cardinals announce signings of 10 rookie undrafted free agents
The Arizona Cardinals announced the signings of 10 undrafted rookie free agents on Monday, including former Arizona State linebacker Kyle Soelle, a three-year captain who led the Sun Devils in tackles in each of the past two seasons.
In addition to Soelle, who attended Scottsdale Saguaro High School, the Cardinals signed wide receiver Daniel Arias (Colorado), safety Kendell Brooks (Michigan State), running back Emari Demercado (TCU), long snapper Matt Hembrough (Oklahoma State), tight end Joel Honigford (Michigan), linebacker Marvin Pierre (Kent State), defensive lineman Jacob Slade (Michigan State), cornerback Quavian White (Georgia Tech) and tight end Blake Whiteheart (Wake Forest).
Some highlights on each of the signees:
*Arias (6-3, 216) appeared in 50 games (21 starts) during his five-year career with the Buffaloes, the most by a wide receiver in school history. He had 48 receptions for 750 yards and four TDs in his career while also excelling on special teams. According to the school, Arias finished his career with 77 special teams points, the seventh most in Buffaloes history. In 2022, Arias played in all 12 games and had 19 receptions for 309 yards and a TD while also collecting 14 special teams points. He was selected as the recipient of the Tom McMahon Award, given annually to a Colorado offensive player for their dedication and work ethic.
*Brooks (6-0, 206) played the past two seasons with the Spartans and appeared in 24 games, collecting 105 tackles (53 solo), four passes defensed, 3.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. In 2022, Brooks played in 11 games (10 starts) and had a career-high 100 tackles (48 solo), the second most on the team and tied for fifth in the Big Ten, with three passes defensed and three forced fumbles. He began his collegiate career at North Greenville University (2018-20) and appeared in 19 games, collecting 78 tackles, two tackles for loss, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
*Demercado (5-9, 215) played in 51 games in five years with the Horned Frogs (2018-22) and ran for 1,615 yards and 10 TDs on 338 carries to go along with 40 receptions for 277 yards and one TD. In 2022, he had the best season of his career after rushing for 681 yards and six TDs on 121 carries (5.6-yard avg.) while helping TCU advance to the College Football National Championship game. Demercado ran for 150 yards and one TD in the Horned Frogs' CFP semifinal game against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. He was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection three times (2019, ’21-22) during his time at TCU and also earned a master’s degree in Business Analytics. Demercado began his collegiate career at Saddleback College (CA) in 2017.
*Hembrough (6-3, 236) was one of three national finalists for the Patrick Mannelly Award in 2022 given to the best long snapper in the country. His 148 total long snaps last season were the most in the FBS according to PFF. Hembrough played in 51 games during his career at Oklahoma State and was a second-team All-American selection by the AFCA in 2021 and a four-time (2019-22) first-team Academic All-Big 12 honoree. Last season, Hembrough played all 13 games, served as a team captain and was perfect on all 84 snaps for punts and 64 snaps for place kicks to finish out a perfect collegiate career.
*Honigford (6-4, 259) appeared in 45 games (six starts) during his career with the Wolverines and excelled as a run blocker and on special teams. He began his collegiate career as an offensive lineman and played at both guard and tackle before switching to tight end in 2020. The past two years (2021-22), Honigford was part of an offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award which is given annually to recognize the toughest, most physical offensive line in the country. It was the first time a team won the award in back-to-back seasons. Honigford played all 14 games (two starts) for Michigan last season, including the Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal at State Farm Stadium and was also selected as an academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2022.
*Pierre (6-1, 221) played 25 games the past two seasons (2021-22) with the Eagles and recorded 149 tackles (86 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles. In 2022, he started all 11 games he appeared in and had 98 tackles (56 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Pierre transferred to Kent State from Murray State where he played in 2020 after spending one season (2019) at Butler Community College.
*Slade (6-3, 293) played 42 games (26 starts) over five seasons (2018-22) with the Spartans and had 88 tackles (32 solo), 4.0 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He appeared in eight games in 2022 and had 20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a half sack, four passes defensed, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. As a junior in 2021, Slade was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by PFF after setting career-highs in tackles (40), tackles for loss (five) and sacks (2.5) while playing all 13 games (12 starts).
More: Cardinals filling out roster with rookie free agents
*Soelle (6-3, 232) appeared in 53 games at ASU and had 259 tackles (141 solo), 4.0 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 12 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Soelle led the Sun Devils in tackles in each of the past two seasons after collecting 110 stops in 2022 and 88 tackles in 2021. He had six straight games of double-digit tackles last year and tied for second on the team with two interceptions.
*White (5-8, 187) was a second-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection last season and ranked fourth in the conference and 14th in the FBS with four interceptions. He also had nine passes defensed and 29 tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack in 2022. White played in 40 games during his five-year career at Georgia State and had 157 tackles (113 solo), 10 interceptions, 42 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. He was an all-conference selection in each of his final three seasons (2020-22) with the Panthers.
*Whiteheart (6-4, 247) played in 50 games over the past five seasons (2018-22) with the Demon Deacons and had 44 receptions for 541 yards and six TDs. He set career-highs last season with 24 receptions and 295 yards while tying his career-high with three TDs. Whiteheart was a 2022 All-ACC Academic selection and was named to the 2022 John Mackey Award watch list as the nation’s top tight end.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Arizona Cardinals agree to terms with 10 rookie free agents
