Football | 4/28/2018 7:54:00 PM
MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota State University Moorhead All-American wide receiver
Damon Gibson has signed a free-agent contract with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Gibson and his agent Martin Fischman confirmed the signing on Saturday night.
The Packers, are led of course by future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and are one of the NFL's most storied franchises.
"It's pretty awesome," Gibson said on Saturday. "It hasn't set in yet. It's a pretty sweet feeling right now."
Gibson was hoping to get drafted but did not get selected in the first seven rounds. However, during the draft, the Packers called and said they were interested in signing him as a free agent once the draft was complete on Saturday.
"I'm definitely super relieved to have a team," Gibson said. "It was a great experience, but I'm glad it is over worth now that I know I have a team."
Gibson will fly to Green Bay for a three-day mini camp later next week. He will return home for a week and then will fly back to Green Bay for the next month. The Packers hold training camp in July.
"At the end of the day, I'll do whatever it takes to get a chance to make the 53-man roster," Gibson said.
In March, Gibson participated in a Pro Day hosted by North Dakota State at the NDSU Bubble. Scouts from 21 NFL teams -- more that were in attendance for Carson Wentz's pro day two years ago -- were in attendance. Athletes were tested in areas such as the 40-yard dash, bench press and vertical jump, along with doing some position drills. That day, Gibson ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash and also had a vertical jump of 37 1/2 inches which was the best of any athlete at the NDSU pro day.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Gibson is projected as a tight end in the NFL after playing wide receiver for the Dragons from 2014-17. Gibson played in the East-West Shrine game in January in Florida, becoming the first Dragon to ever play in that all-star game.
Gibson wrapped up a four-year Dragon career this past fall, where his senior campaign was cut short by injury. Despite missing the final four games (he was injured on the third play of the Week 8 game at Minnesota Crookston), Gibson caught 54 passes for 689 yards and three touchdowns and earned All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division First Team honors for a second straight year.
He leaves MSUM third all-time in receptions with 191. He finished with 3,112 career receiving yards and hauled in 26 career touchdowns. In 2016 Gibson had one of the finest receiving seasons in Dragon program history, catching 90 passes for 1,459 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named AFCA All-American Second Team and All-Super Region 3 first team.
